– The state of insecurity in the country has prompted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to begin urgent plans to install “closed-circuit television (CCTVs) and other cutting-edge technologies in major cities in the country for city surveillance”.
Adamu made the disclosure on Monday while reviewing the security situation in the country for the past one month with senior police officers in Abuja.
In addition to installing CCTVs, so as to enhance the fight against criminality, the IGP disclosed that there are “plans directed at re-organising and re-launching the Safer Highway and Safer City Models of Policing which will entail the acquisition of new fleet of vehicles that will be deployed to dominate the public space”.
Stressing on community policing as a veritable tool for effective crime control, Adamu said: “The current attempts at implementing the concept of community policing also represents part of enduring strategies aimed at changing the policing narratives of the country.
“This will ensure the effective integration of the citizens to our internal security framework, guarantee the concept of policing by public consent and build partnership required to address peculiar communal threats.”
He, therefore, charged all police commanders to redouble their efforts in ensuring the safety and protection of lives and property in their areas of jurisdiction while providing the requisite leadership to officers and men under their supervision to desist from acts that widen the gap between the police and the community.
He said it is only when the police present a common front that they could defeat the criminals that constituted the common enemy.
He noted that in the past one month, the police had recorded tremendous achievements in reducing crime in the country.
The successes achieved, he said, were linked to ‘Operation Puff Adder’ which had been a very potent anti-crime vehicle of the police.
Highlighting the achievements of his security outfit, he said: “Sequel to the launch of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in all the states of the federation and other security strategies recently emplaced to address internal security threats, a total number of 424 kidnappers were arrested between 10th May, 2019 and 14th, June, 2019.
“The highest number of 101 kidnap suspects were arrested in Kaduna State, followed by Katsina State with 79 arrests.
“Fifty-four suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa State and 32 in Taraba State.
“In the same vein, a total of 44 murder suspects were arrested during the period under review, with the highest number of 7 in FCT and 6 in Kano State.
“In addition, 276 armed robbery suspects were arrested within the same period with the highest number of 38 in Edo State, followed by 25 in Nasarawa State and 23 in FCT.
“Similarly, a total of 10,860 ammunition of various descriptions and calibre were recovered while a total of 301 firearms, including a rocket launcher, AK47 assault rifles, pistols and locally made gun, were similarly recovered from criminal elements across the country, with the highest number of 80 in Katsina State, followed by Edo State with 26 and Kaduna State with 25.
“Furthermore, 176 suspected cultists were arrested across the country while 77 stolen vehicles were recovered by ‘Operation Puff Adder’ operatives nationwide between 10th May, 2019 and 14th June, 2019, with the highest number of 29 in FCT.”
He acknowledged that the achievements were recorded with the cooperation of members of the public in a manner that clearly demonstrated the increasing determination of the citizens to support the police in restoring internal security.
While appreciating and commending well-meaning Nigerians for their support, he “assured Nigerians of our firm commitment to sustain the war against crimes by taking the battle to the door steps of criminal elements in furtherance to our mission to guarantee the safety and security of our communities”.