IG Directs AIGs, CPs to Beef up Security on Highways

• Police parade criminal suspect operating on Abuja-Kaduna highway

Paul Obi in Abuja

Following the rampant cases of kidnapping, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris yesterday directed all Assistant Inspectors General of Police, (AIG) and Commissioners of Police (CP) to intensify efforts in beefing up security along highways and other major roads across the country.

This came as the Police Force Headquarters paraded 13 kidnappers and armed robbers operating along Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

Speaking, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said the AIGs and CPs are to expedite action on security along the highways.

He explained that: “While the operation is being sustained, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the zones and commands to replicate same on the highways and major roads in other states of the country.

“They are also to beef up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and ensure massive deployment of Armed Police Personnel, Patrol Teams and undercover operatives to black spots, flash points and other vulnerable criminal spots to nip in the bud all forms of crimes and criminality nationwide and make sure that detection of crimes are prompt to serve as effective deterrent to would be criminals. The ongoing raids on criminal hideouts will be sustained.
“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to reduce crimes and criminalities in the country remains unwavering.”

While parading suspects, Moshood said: “Consequent on the reinforcement of Operation Absolute Sanity on Abuja- Kaduna Highway with additional two units of Special Police Forces by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris to tackle the gangs of Kidnappers that escaped arrest on Abuja – Kaduna Highway and relocated to some roads around Jere to Abuja axis.

“The suspects were arrested in their hideouts and camps where some of their victims were rescued and the listed firearms and ammunition were recovered from their possession.”

Moshood added that: “In the operation that is still ongoing, two different vicious and notorious kidnap for ransom gangs were dislodged and busted in their hideouts and camps between Jere – Kaduna and Jere – Abuja axis. Thirteen suspected kidnappers were arrested in the operation. They confessed to the offence and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.

“The arms and ammunition listed above and other properties belonging to some of their victims, who were rescued from the gang, were recovered from them.

“Most of the suspects were identified by the victims for being responsible for their kidnap. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the other suspects at large. All the suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of Investigation,” Moshood stated.

The suspects include Umar Mohammed Babuga, 27 years (First Gang leader), AK 47 Rifle was recovered from him, Umaru Kiri 26 years, Abdullahi Tambaya 25 years, Abdulkarim Musa 27 years, Isah Musa 30 years, Sani Musa 27 years, Nura Usman ‘M’ 37 yearrs (Second Gang Leader) One AK 47 Rifle recovered from him, Bashiru Yusuf ‘M’ 25 years Abdulrahman Abdul 20 years, Abdullahi Bali 40 years, Abdulrahman Hassan Nagoma, Usman Babuga, 25 years, Yeti Muhammad, 32 years.”

Items recovered include two (2) AK47 Rifles, 16 local made guns, locally made Ak47 with ammunitions, cutlasses and sticks, charms.