Thirty-six suspects were arrested in connection with terrorism and 388 others over alleged murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism in the last two months.
Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba made this known in Abuja during a meeting with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs).
He said the suspects were arrested during various police operations across the country.
He added that 78 were arrested over murder, 110 armed robbery, 50 kidnapping and 150 cultism.
Baba said 204 kidnap victims were successfully rescued, while 55 firearms of various descriptions and 1,561 live ammunition were recovered within the period.
The I-G said the “Operation Sahara Storm” inaugurated in Sokoto State, had recorded massive successes in the achievement of its goals.
“The operation is aimed at identifying bandits’ camps in Gudugudu, Tarke Forest, Luguhuru through Hurra and Markira, Goronyo, Wurno and Heli in Rabbah Local Government and Zangon-Isu forest in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.
“Aside the destruction of all the camps and other assets of the bandits in the criminal enclaves mentioned above, a total of 38 suspects were arrested over banditry/terrorism during the special operation,” he said.
Baba said the operation had also led to the recovery of 32 AK-47 riffles, one rocket propelled grenade launcher, 1,412 7.62mm live ammunition, and 1,200 rounds of live AA ammunition.
He said one locally fabricated revolver pistol, three vehicles, two motorcycles, 109 cartons of pentazocine BP 30 injections, N800,000 and three pairs of Army camouflage uniforms were also recovered during the operation.
“In consequence of the progress we have made, I wish to use this opportunity to commend you, your officers and men for your loyalty, patriotism and renewed vigour.
“Much as significant progress is being recorded, we must admit that we are not yet close to achieving our national security goal.
“There are still areas of grave concern, as well as development that will task our strategic leadership capacity as the year unfolds.
“Such concerns are the conduct and attitude of our men, especially, police officers on the field,” he said.
Baba lamented that the force has been inundated by complaints of excesses in the conduct of men on patrol or stop and search duties.
“I have personally had the cause to drive round in the course of which, I witnessed some of these illegalities, particularly, in relation to road blocks,” he added.
He said stop and search strategy could occasionally be an invaluable anti-crime tactic, adding that it ”must not be done without requisite approval and must not be a permanent strategy.”
REMARKS BY IGP USMAN ALKALI BABA, psc(+), NPM, fdc DURING THE MEETING WITH STRATEGIC POLICE MANAGERS IN NIGERIA HELD ON THURSDAY 3RD MARCH 2022 AT THE FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
Protocol
I am delighted to welcome you all to the Conference of Strategic Police Managers from across the country.
The meeting is being summoned in furtherance to my leadership strategy of constantly engaging strategic Police Managers for the purpose of reviewing the country’s internal security issues and re-evaluating our strategies, all in an effort to advance our mandate as the lead agency in internal security management of the nation.
2.Coming on the heels of the recently concluded Conference and Retreat for Strategic Police Managers held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, this meeting will also review the progress we have made in relation to the implementation of the outcomes of the event as captured in the widely circulated communique.
Against this background, I wish to observe that an analysis of trends and patterns of crime since the beginning of the Year has shown a significant progress in our anti-crime operations. this has manifested in a downward trend in the frequency of major crimes across the country.
3.I am to note that this trend has been informed not only by your individual and collective sacrifices, professionalism and enhanced operational efficiency, but also reflective of the efficacy of our current strategies. It is indeed in furtherance to this that we launched ‘Operation Sahara Storm’ in Sokoto State with the sole aim of rooting out identified bandits’ camps at Gudugudu, Tarke Forest, Luguhuru through Hurra and Markira, Goronyo, Wurno and Heli in Rabbah Local Government and Zangon-Isu forest in Goronyo LGA of the State.
4.It is with deep sense of professional fulfilment that I wish to note that the Operation has recorded massive successes in achieving its set goals. As a result, aside the destruction of all the camps and other assets of the bandits in the above mentioned criminal enclaves, a total of thirty-eight (38) suspected bandits/terror elements were arrested while the following were recovered during the special operation:
- Thirty-two (32) AK-47 rifles.
- One (1) Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher.
- One thousand four hundred and twelve (1,412) 7.62mm live ammunition.
- One thousand two hundred (1,200) rounds of live AA ammunition.
- One (1) locally fabricated revolver pistol.
- Three (3) motor vehicles, and two (2) motorcycles.
- Ten (10) cartons of Pentazocine BP 30 Injections.
- Cash sum of eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000.00) and;
- Three (3) pairs of Army camouflage uniform.
5.On a general note, between January 2022 till date, collated crimes statistics revealed that thirty-six (36) terror elements, seventy-eight (78) murder suspects, one hundred and ten (110) armed robbery suspects, fifty (50) kidnapers and one hundred and fifty (150) cultists were arrested during various police operations across the country.
6.Aside these, two hundred and four (204) kidnapped victims were successfully rescued, while one hundred and fifty-five (155) firearms of various descriptions and one thousand, five hundred and sixty-one (1,561) live ammunition were also recovered.
7. In consequence of the progress we have made, I wish to utilize this opportunity to commend you and your officers and men for your loyalty, patriotism, and renewed vigor in the task of guaranteeing peace, security and safety in our Nation.
8.Ladies and gentlemen, much as significant progress is being recorded, we must admit that we are not yet close to achieving our national security goal of restoring an internal security order that is enduring enough to fully reassure the citizens and restore optimal confidence in the Force.
9.Indeed, there are still areas of grave concern as well as developments that will undoubtedly task our strategic leadership capacity as the Year unfolds. One of such concerns is the conduct and attitude of our men especially police officers on the field. I have continually been inundated by complaints of excesses in the conduct of our men on patrol or Stop and Search duties and I have personally had the cause to drive round in the course of which, I witnessed some of these illegalities particularly in relation to road blocks.
10. I want to reemphasize that while Stop and Search strategy could occasionally be an invaluable anti-crime tactic, such should not be done without requisite approval and must not be a permanent strategy. It must equally be conducted with extant police protocols which emphasizes civility to members of the public and must be laced with highest level of professional decorum. Such must not also be turned into an avenue for extortion.
11.Consequently, as strategic leaders, you could be held liable for any violation of this Force policy. You are therefore strongly advised to go back to your Commands, review this development and ensure that your operations conform strictly to the vision of my leadership.
12.As mentioned during the recently concluded Retreat and Conference, it is anticipated that the Force would be further challenged by the enhanced political activities that are associated with the upcoming 2023 general elections. The import of this is that, beyond our routine anti-crime activities, we have to be prepared not just to deal with politically related infractions that could ensue, but also with preparations ahead to guarantee the security and credibility of the elections.
13.In due course, we shall be engaging in activities that will fully prepare us for the effective performance of our roles in the elections, part of which would be to liaise with the leadership of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Civil Society Organizations and the Nigeria Police Legal Chamber towards dissecting the provisions of the Electoral Act as recently amended. This is with a view to ensuring that all our activities are situated within the dictates of the Electoral Act 2022.
14.In bringing this remarks to a close, I wish to once again reassure the citizens of this great country of my commitment to the police reform project, as well as the assurances that I will continue to provide responsible and responsive leadership that will address their fears of crimes and engender seamless police and citizens’ partnership in the war against crimes in the country. In this regard, I wish to solicit the continued understanding and support of Nigerians.
15.On this note, I welcome you all to this Conference and look forward to a professionally enriching outcome.
16.I thank you all for your attention.
securityandsafetymatters 