The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has called for tougher legislations against kidnapping and banditry, including possible state seizure of assets linked to illicit proceeds from kidnapping and other heinous crimes.
The police boss, who made the call today, June 5, while addressing a delegation of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nasarawa State Chapter, believed that such tougher legislation will act as a strong disincentive to potential kidnappers and other violent criminals.
According to him, the call for tougher punishment for kidnappers and other criminals is backgrounded against the increase in crimes in the society.
Mohammed Adamu, who also highlighted the successes recorded by “Operation Puff Adder” in the ongoing fight against criminal elements across the country to the visitor, led by Alhaji. Aminu Muazu Maifata, said that since the launch of Operation Puff Adder on 5th April 2019, till date, a total number of 63 Kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt by Police Operatives.
“In a similar vein, Two Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Five (2,175) suspects were arrested for the following offences: Kidnapping – Eight Hundred and Fifty Two (852), Armed Rubbery – Eight Hundred and Sixty Five (865), Murder – Three Hundred and Fifty Nine (359) and Cultism – Ninety Nine (99). With respect to arms recovery, the IGP noted that Eight Hundred and Thirty Four (834) Arms, including Two (2) – rocket Launchers, Nineteen Thousand and Nine (19,009) live ammunition were recovered with Oyo State recording the highest number of Nine thousand, Five Hundred ( 9,500) live ammunition . The IGP stated that the Police are re-jigging their strategies to ensure proactive interception of illicit weapons destined to our country and at the same time mop up un- authorized weapons in circulation.
According to the IGP, while a good number of the cases are already being prosecuted in courts across the country, many of the cases are still under active investigation owing largely to the complexity of investigating and managing organized crimes.”
The IGP said that the mind-boggling size of the arrests and arms recovered so far is a testament to the efficacy of Operation Puff Adder and more importantly to the unalloyed and unwavering support of the public to the Nigeria Police and other Security agencies.
