We are winning the war on banditry, kidnapping & armed robbery – IGP Adamu; Orders resuscitation of Operation Safer Highway Motorized Patrols nationwide

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Ababakar Adamu on Friday said statistics of crime fighting against armed banditry, kidnapping and armed robberies in the country shows the the Nigerian Police is winning the fight.

He said indications from the national crime profile of the country, from April 1st, 2019 to date, show a significant increase in the arrest of offenders and recoveries of firearms by the Police.

In this regard, he said, “Within this period, 157 kidnappers were arrested across the country in April while 13 have so far been arrested in the first week of this month of May.

Speaking during a meeting he summoned of Senior Police Officers including DIG, AIGs, and Command CPs, IGP Adamu said, ” Kaduna State recorded the highest number of arrested kidnappers with 18 suspects, followed by Plateau state with 17 suspected kidnappers. Edo state followed with 15 and 10 each from in Niger and Zamfara states.

The IGP disclosed that 218 armed robbery suspects were arrested in several operations by the Police in various commands in April, 2019 while 57 have so far been arrested in the first week of this month of May.

“FCT recorded the highest number with 42 arrests, followed by Edo state with 28, Oyo state with 24, Anambra state with 22 and IMO state with 21 suspects.

Furthermore the IGP said, “147 firearms of various description were recovered in April, 2019 while 50 have so far been recovered in the first week of the month of May. Lagos and Zamfara states topped the list with 22 recoveries each, followed by Edo state with 21, Delta state with 20, 12 in Kaduna state and 11 in Niger state.

Expatiating on the arrests and recoveries, IGP Adamu said, “The fundamental import of these statistics is two fold. Firstly, that we are winning the fight against crime and criminality.

“Secondly, that from the rate and pattern of arrests and recoveries made in recent times by Police, it could be discerned that the rate of arrests of offenders and recoveries connected to the crimes have been on ready increase.

“This trend was particularly noticeable from the month of April, 2019 which coincides with launch of Operation Puff Adder. This is indicative of the fact that Operation Puff Adder has been largely effective in straightening the capacity of the Police to respond to internal security threats.

Speaking further, the IGP said, “In order to complement the efforts of Operation Puff Adder which has been replicated in all the states in the northern part of the country and in most states in the South, and in order to complement your efforts, the Safer Highway Motorized Patrol Scheme will be resuscitated.

” This will involve the acquisition of new fleet of operational vehicles, equipment and weaponry towards expending the operational scope of the scheme.

“Similarly, plans are being perfected to establish a National Crime Analysis Centre for purpose of collation, analysis and dissemination of criminal intelligence to support police operations across all commands” the IGP said.

“In the course of this meeting, we shall review patterns and trends of crimes, particularly the threat of kidnapping, banditry and armed robbery. In addition, we shall also evaluate the extent of implementation of Operation Puff Adder which was launched on 5th April, 2019 as a strategy to address internal security threats within the shortest possible time”.

“At the end of the conference, he expected the officers to return to their respective commands with renewed vigour towards taking the war against kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits to their doorsteps.

“Secondly, to draw on our rich professional experiences in evolving more potent strategies directed st attaining our mandate of maintaining internal security and reversing the current trend of crime across the country”.

END