IGP Adamu Wages War Against Armed Bandits, Combs North East, West, Electrifies Operation 'Puff Adder'

By Wale Abydeen// “Armed bandits in the north is another security challenge facing Nigeria but it is surmountable”, the Inspector General of Police, IGP MA Adamu believes the challenge would be brought under control and that seems why he hits the roads, combing nooks and crannies in the North East and North west and perhaps rallying supports to put an end to this emerging threats to lives and property.

Recently SECURITY MONITOR receives series of statements from DCP FRANK MBA, FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, detailing how Operation Puff Adder set up by the IGP is waging war against the bandits.

Frank Mba stated that the Force and other Security Forces intensify offensive against armed bandits currently terrorizing parts of the country. He said that the” Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP MA Adamu, NPM, mni today, Tuesday, 9th April, 2019 accompanied by the DIG Operations, DIG ABDULMAJID ALI visited Sokoto and Zamfara States, two of the States in the North West currently experiencing the challenges of armed banditry and other associated crimes”.

“The visit, which is to enable the IGP conduct an on- the – spot evaluation of operational and deployment strategies currently in place in both States, readily affords the IGP ample opportunity to have a “one-on-one” interaction with officers and men on the ground. This will, in addition to being a morale boosting undertaking, help to galvanize local support for the Police and other Security Forces currently engaged in the Operation Puff Adder”.

The IGP, while addressing the officers and men of both Commands, charged them to be on the offensive and take the battle to the bandits’ camp and ensure total reclamation and domination of all the public spaces occupied by them and bring them to justice.

While in Zamfara, the IGP held a Town Hall Meeting in Gusau, capital city of Zamfara State which drew participants from relevant stakeholders, including; top government officials – Secretary to Zamfara State Government Prof. Abdullahi Muhammad, Chief of Staff of Zamfara State Government, Engr Abdullahi Abulkarim – Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Farmers Association, Mityetti Allah, Religious Leaders amongst others, the IGP commiserated with the community members particularly those who lost their loved ones or incurred one loss or another as a result of the activities of the bandits. The IGP however, called on the people to support the security agencies with human intelligence and any relevant information that could aid the success of the operation.

On their part, the stakeholders commended the Federal Government for banning mining activities in their area. They equally requested for increased deployment of Policemen to their communities, even as they prayed that the members of the Civilian Joint Task Force be allowed to join the Police in tackling the menace of armed bandits in their communities.
The IGP left Zamfara for Sokoto in continuation of the war against armed bandits.

His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III pledged an unalloyed support to the Police and other Security Agencies when the IGP calls on him.

The Sultan pledges to support the police efforts when on the 9^th April, 2019 at his Palace in Gida Sarkin Musulmi, Sokoto the IGP, in the company of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alh. Mannir Dan’iya and other top Police Officers and Government functionaries paid him a courtesy visit.

While promising to use the platform of the Forum of Northern Traditional Rulers to rally support of all the Traditional Rulers from Northern Nigeria to fight armed banditry and other crimes in the region, the Sultan equally aligned himself with the IGP’s policy direction of using the tool of Community Policing and Partnership to combat crime. The Sultan also urged Nigerians from all walks of life to support the Police in the fight against all manner of crime in the Country.

The IGP also lands in Katsina state thereafter and ordered the men of the Police Special Forces and other Tactical Units currently deployed in Katsina State to deal decisively with armed bandits and other violent criminal elements currently terrorizing innocent citizens in the State.

The IGP gave the order on Wednesday 10th April, 2018, while addressing the Combined Teams of Police Operatives at the Katsina Police Command Headquarters in continuation of his operational tour of the North Central and North Western States.

While admitting the obvious security challenges facing the nation at different fronts, the IGP insists that these security challenges are not insurmountable. He therefore assured that everything humanly and operationally possible is being done towards bringing a permanent end to incidences of armed banditry and other crimes in the country.

Earlier, the IGP had paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, where he sought the support of the Governor and the good people of Katsina State in the renewed and reinvigorated fight against criminal elements.

In his response, the Governor, represented by his Deputy, His Excellency, Alh. Mannir Yakubu, pledged full support of the State Government and the Citizens to ‘Operation Puff Adder’ and other security initiatives of the Nigeria Police Force. Meanwhile, Operation Puff Adder got a boost in its operational asset as Katsina State Government made a donation of twelve (12) Toyota Hilux vans to the Police in aid of the mission.

Before leaving the State, the IGP also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji (Dr) Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, where he sought the cooperation of the Royal Father and other Traditional Authorities in the onslaught against criminals.

Rahman Aliagan, Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ hails IGP Adamu stressing that “the courage and tactics exhibits by the IGP in recent times depicts the force could be better positioned to combat crimes and criminals in Nigeria”. Aliagan added that there is need for presence of security agencies in the north to maintain peace and progress. He urges the IGP not to leave any stone unturned at getting rid of the criminal elements in the country.