Kaduna, Feb 17, 2021 – The Police Command in Kaduna State on Wednesday, deployed 302 personnel under its Operation Puff Adder ll to secure the Kaduna -Abuja highway.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 302 personnel comprised of Mobile Police, Counter Terrorism Operatives and Police Special Forces.
The operatives would also be deployed to Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Southern Kaduna, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Umar Muri, said at the inauguration of the operation in Kaduna.
“The operation is to reclaim the public space from criminals that are bent on threatening our internal security order,” he said.
He added that the personnel would reinforce ongoing operations in the state to tackle banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling and other related heinous crimes.
The CP also said that the operatives would track and recover illegal arms.
“The alarming increase of criminal activities in our state must be finally and permanently nipped in the bud to provide a conducive atmosphere for our socio-economic activities that have been held down lately and apparently frustrating the well-designed policies of the Federal, State and Local Governments.
“In this regard, the I-G has instituted a framework which continually exposes our operations to specialised training that is designed to prepare them for the task ahead, being the lead security agency saddled with the responsibility of internal security of the state and the country at large.
“The sole aim of this Operation Puff Adder II is to reclaim the public space from criminals that are bent on threatening our internal security order,” the CP said.
According to him, much achievements have been recorded in the state from the combined efforts of the state government and the police, including other sister agencies.
“The dynamic nature of crime continues to present new trends which have made it imperative that we continually re-evaluate our strategies and emplace new operational architecture.
“This is with the view to sustaining the gains already recorded within the framework of our well entrenched intelligence-led Community Policing Initiative,” he said.
Muri gave assurance of his to continued commitment to guarantee a stable security order across the state.
” I must state that the police cannot do it alone, no matter how well trained, equipped or motivated without the support of the community that we are engaged to serve.
“I therefore, urge the full support of the civil populace, youth associations, traditional rulers, market bodies, cultural associations, and religious leaders among others to put all hands on deck for the achievement of this all important task,” he added.
He charged the operatives to see their deployment as a call to national duty.
“You are therefore, required to ensure that justice is served in all your operations and to also ensure that you deal ruthlessly with criminal elements that may attempt to take the risk of testing your will or might while carrying out your legal assignment,” the CP said.
Muri assured the personnel that their welfare would be given priority.
“I must inform you that the I-G has made adequate provisions for you during the exercise and this is why no compromise of any kind by any police officer engaged in this operation will be taken lightly by the police authority,” he added.
The commissioner appreciated the Kaduna State Government for the relentless effort so far towards the sustenance of peace, protection of lives and property as well as the support being rendered to all security agencies in the state.
