By Lawal Taofeek,
In Kebbi, a strategic alliance among the Nigeria Police Force, sister agencies, and traditional leaders is dismantling criminal networks to restore peace in the state.
Led by Mr Umar Hadejia, Commissioner of Police for Kebbi, the police are taking the battle to the hideouts of the criminals and their logistics suppliers.
From Bagudo and Bunza to Sakaba, Danko-Wasagu, Arewa, and Augie, nemesis is catching up with the notorious criminals as the police neutralise bandits and arrest their logistics couriers.
Addressing newsmen at the Police Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, Hadejia said the results were due to synergy among the security agencies in the state.
“The command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, Civilian JTF, vigilante groups, and other critical stakeholders, has continued to employ intelligence-led policing, rapid response, and coordinated operations towards denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate freely.
“Within one month, the command recorded a number of operational successes in the fight against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and other criminal activities.’’
Hadejia disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs was the arrest of suspected members of well known ‘Mamuda group ‘ of Boko Haram (Mamudawa) who were arrested by Bagudo Police Division.
He alleged that the group was responsible for the killings of officers of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the area.
“On June 5, at about 1320hrs, Police Mobile operatives at Illo Division, Bagudo LGA, acting on credible intelligence while on patrol along the Illo–Lolo road, intercepted and arrested three suspected members of Mamudawa/Boko Haram elements.
“The suspects were arrested on a motorcycle while heading to Lolo Town allegedly to procure food supplies for criminal elements.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that these suspects were linked to movements around the area during the attack that claimed the lives of three FRSC personnel at ILLO on June 4.
“The recovered motorcycle exhibit bears foreign registration number; the suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.’’
He said the command also arrested four suspected Lakurawa bandits identified who were involved in armed banditry-related activities within SODA forest in Bagudo.
“Recently, officers of the command also neutralised a bandit gang leader, identified as Jiji Mujugu, in his hideout in Bagudo Local Government, during a gun battle with combined security agencies.”
Hadeijia said the command would continue to sustain aggressive patrols and tactical deployments across identified flashpoints in the state.
“These operations have also led to interventions against bandit activities, including engagements with criminal elements, protection of vulnerable communities, and restoration of confidence among residents.
“The successes recorded are products of intelligence gathering, dedication of police personnel, cooperation with sister security agencies, and the invaluable support of members of the public.
“As you are aware, Kebbi is among the frontline states, due to its vast international borders with Benin Republic and Niger Republic.
“It also borders Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger States. These border areas are frequently exploited by criminal elements, including Lakurawa bandits, Mamudawa/Boko Haram militias to launch cross-border attacks and escape to their hideouts within forested border areas.
“The command has sustained intelligence-led policing, community policing concept and robust collaboration with sister security agencies.
“In the last one month alone, 14-suspects linked to violent crimes including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, some kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt,’’ he said.
He urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information for the police.
Recently, the Inspector-General of Police(I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu, represented by the Deputy-Inspector-General of Police in charge of North-West region, Mr Suleiman Abdul, visited the state.
Receiving the I-G, Hadejia disclosed that since his assumption of office, he had embarked on a tour across the state to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the security situation.
While commending the officers of the command for their bravery, the I-G appreciated the commissioner and his men for taking the fight to the criminals.
“I am proud of your outstanding performance this week; you have taken the battle straight to the criminals with bold actions, recording major successes through arrests and the neutralization of bandits and their kingpins.
“The people are noticing our courage. Well done! It is far better to strike first and stay on the offensive than to remain only reactive.
“When bandits know we fire back decisively, they will think twice. Keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and sustain this momentum. You are the pride of the force. Thank you for your dedication and bravery,” the I-G said.
He urged them to maintain a zero-tolerance policy for extortion at border transit points and highway corridors in order to sustain the public trust.
Evaluating the performance of police in the state under Hadejia, Mr Nasiru Idris, the Secretary Kebbi Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an NGO noted that the Command had demonstrated commitment to maintain law and order.
“The Police Command in Kebbi, under the leadership of Hadejia, has demonstrated commendable commitment to maintaining law and order and strengthening the fight against Gender-Based Violence and other related offences across the state,’’ he said.
In his reaction, National Chairman of Grassroots Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance (GAPAG), Mr Usman Muhammad-Anache, said the commissioner had visited all the police formations in the state to see the real situation on ground.
“He operates an open door policy especially to NGOs and general public which makes us to feel free to report any unusual activities Police.
“He made it a policy to investigate any reports received and this reduces the crime rate in the state to about 85 per cent.
“The activities of Lakurawa in Arewa and Augie LGAs were almost eliminated.
“He encouraged the use of technology in fighting crime for instance the way he use technology to arrest “Yan Vokal” a cyber-crime syndicate in Argungu who specialises in using mobile technology in their criminal activities,’’ he said.
Muhammad-Anache, who appreciated his efforts in community sensitisation by engaging CSOs and NGOs, also commended the spokesman of the command, SP Bashir Usman, for always responding to distress calls and messages at odd hours.
Mr Umar Kaoje, a leader of commercial drivers plying Birnin Kebbi to Bagudo, explained that the police and other security agencies had cleared some areas used to be notorious hiding places for criminals along their routes to Bagudo.
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