The Nigeria Police says an analysis of trends and patterns of crime since the beginning of the year has shown a significant progress in anti-crime operations, urging officers of the force to keep up on the work.
The Inspector General of Police IGP Usman Alkali stated this in a conference with Commissioners of Police and other high ranking officers in the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Efficacy of current strategies
IGP Alkaliķ noted that the trend has been informed not only by collective sacrifices, professionalism and enhanced operational efficiency, but also reflective of the efficacy of the current strategies.
The Police chief explained that “It is indeed in furtherance to this that the Police Management launched ‘Operation Sahara Storm’ in Sokoto State with the sole aim of rooting out identified bandits’ camps in some local government areas of the State.
The Operation has recorded massive successes in achieving its set goals, aside the destruction of all the camps and other assets of the bandits which amounted to a total of thirty-eight (38) suspected bandits/terror elements who were arrested while the following items were recovered during the special operation:
1. Thirty-two (32) AK-47 rifles.
2. One (1) Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher.
3. One thousand four hundred and twelve (1,412) 7.62mm live ammunition.
4. One thousand two hundred (1,200) rounds of live AA ammunition.
5. One (1) locally fabricated revolver pistol.
6. Three (3) motor vehicles, and two (2) motorcycles.
7. Ten (10) cartons of Pentazocine BP 30 Injections.
8. Cash sum of eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000.00) and;
9. Three (3) pairs of Army camouflage uniform.”
IGP Alkali also revealed that “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.
Also 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.”
There are still areas of great 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 the officers and men especially police officers on the field,” he said.
Requisite approval
The IGP emphasised that “Stop and Search strategy” could occasionally be an invaluable anti-crime tactic and it should not be done without requisite approval and must not be a permanent strategy.
It must equally be conducted with extant police protocols which emphasises 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.
Consequently, as strategic leaders, any Police found wanting could be held liable for any violation of this Force policy.
Enhanced political activities
Therefore, Commissioners of Police in various states were advised to go back to their Commands, review this developments and ensure that the operations conform strictly to the vision of the Force leadership.
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.
In due course, the Force Management shall be engaging in activities that will fully prepare Police for effective performance 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,” the IGP lamented.
The Police Chief reassured the citizens of Nigeria of commitment of 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.
Lateefah Ibrahim
