Police Arrest 2, 175 Bandits, Kidnappers, Others

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has called for tougher legislation against kidnapping and banditry including possible state seizure of assets linked to illicit proceeds from kidnapping and other heinous crimes.

This, the IGP believes will act as a strong disincentive to potential kidnappers and other violent criminals.

The IGP made this call on Wednesday 5th June, 2019 while addressing a delegation of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nasarawa State Chapter, led by Alh Aminu Muazu Maifata, who paid him the traditional Sallah visit in his official quarters in Abuja.

He noted that the call has become necessary against the increasingly daring resort to these forms of crimes by criminal elements in the society.

The IGP also seized the opportunity of the visit to apprise the visitors on the successes recorded by “Operation Puff Adder” in the ongoing fight against criminal elements across the country.

He stated that since the launch of Operation Puff Adder on 5th of April, till date, 63 Kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt by Police Operatives.

He said: “In a similar vein 2,175 suspects were arrested for the following offences: Kidnapping 852, armed robbery 865, murder 359, 99.

“With respect to arms recovery, the IGP noted that 834, arms, 2 rocket launchers, 19,009 live ammunition were recovered with Oyo State recording the highest number of 9,500, live ammunition.

“The IGP stated that the Police are re-jigging their strategies to ensure proactive interception of illicit weapons destined to our country and at the same time mop up un- authorized weapons in circulation.

According to the IGP, while a good number of the cases are already being prosecuted in courts across the country, many of the cases are still under active investigation owing largely to the complexity of investigating and managing organized crimes.