Police Special Forces comprising the Inspector General of Police IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS), after several operational raids on kidnapping dens, gun runners and armed robbery kingpins have arrested 38 suspects and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.
The arms recovered include 20 AK 47 rifles, 11 Dane Guns, 10 Pistols, 45 pump action guns and over 6,000 live ammunition.
While the vicious kidnappers and bandits were arrested in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger States, the gun runners, and vehicle snatchers were arrested in Oyo state, Ogun state and Niger state.
Addressing the media at the parade of the suspects in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, flanked by the Commander of the IGP’s IRT, DCP Abba Kyari and Commander of the STS, DCP Kolo, disclosed that the massive successes recorded is pursuant to the implementation of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ across the country.
Mba said, “What you (media) is seeing today is a list of key achievements of our Special Operations Teams vis a vis the IRT and the STS. It is the result of days, weeks and months of hard work. diligent investigation and daring raids on armed criminal hideouts
“A summary shows that 38 criminals including Kidnappers, gun runners, armed robbery suspects and a syndicate who specialize in snatching vehicles used for hire services. These suspects have been positively inficted for offences of kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and gun running
Their areas of operation include the North Central zone, the North Western parts and the North Eastern parts of the country.
Another gang was arrested for bringing into the country, prohibited illicit weapons and ammunition while a gang which specialize in hiring buses from car hire operators and later killing the driver of the vehicle before bolting away was nabbed.
According to the FPRO, the Nigerian Police High Command had to review its operational strategies and go after the sources of the importation of banned illicit weapons into the country hence the successes in smashing the gun running gang.
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One of the suspected gun runners, Gbenga Ojomo Adebowale who hails from Ibadan in Oyo State, disclosed that his gang imports the arms and ammunition from North Africa through Burkina Faso, Ghana and Benin Republic to Shaki in Oyo state.
Gbenga said the ammunitions seized from his gang were 6,000 live ammunition noting to each box of ammunition containing 750 rounds was usually sold for #300,000.
It was gathered that the AF 47 rifles were being sold, depending on the grades, for between #600,000 to #900,000 each.
One of the suspected kingpin of a kidnapping gang, Sani Haruna who was described as the keeper of kidnap victims, caused a stir when he said that his job is to kill victims whose relations or family cannot pay ransom demanded of them.
Asked to give a number of how many kidnap victims he has killed because their relations or family members could not pay ransom money, Haruna said he could not recollect the number has has killed.
The FPRO also displayed a deadly trick used by One Chance Operators in vehicles who used some tiny wire that appear harmless to attempt to strangle unsuspecting passengers from behind.
He consequently alerted transport users to be vigilant always when boarding vehicles and taxi’s
EID –EL- FITRI: IGP Orders Water-Tight Security at Praying Grounds, sensitive locations
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has felicitatef with Nigerians, especially the Muslim Faithful throughout the country on the occasion of the celebration of the 2019 Eid-el- Fitri.
The IGP has assured the Nigerian public of adequate security before, during and after the celebration in all States of the Federation and the FCT.
A statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer said, “To this end, Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of Zones and State Commands nationwide, have been directed to intensify security in all ‘Eid praying grounds’ and other sensitive locations including recreation centres, public highways, public utilities and critical infrastructure.
“In addition, the IGP has called on members of the public to remain vigilant and avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information by reporting any suspicious persons and movements so as to prevent any untoward situation.”
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