In a bid to mitigate the spate of kidnapping and armed robbery along the Abuja-Kaduna Express Way the acting Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, has launched a major operation tagged: Operation Puff Adder aimed at “re-dominating and reclaiming the public space from heinous criminal elements.”
Addressing Policemen deployed for the operation, Friday at Kateri Police Division, along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, Adamu said: “Crimes, particularly, those that endanger the lives and property of citizens do not represent our traditional values as a people, and no nation develops to its optimal potential in an environment of crimes and fear of criminality.
“Unfortunately, the activities of organised and murderous criminals across the country have evolved to become a threat, not only to these values, but to our internal security.
“There must, therefore, come a time in the life of a nation when we, as a people, must strengthen our will, and resolve to mobilise and deploy all our assets towards Co fronting these criminal elements, take the battle to their doorsteps, we’d make a clear statement that the few deviants within us cannot and will not re-order our cherished national values.
“The time is now and today’s action is aimed at this direction and it is in direct compliance with directive of Mr President to the Nigeria Police to re-evaluate and emplace new operational strategies to stem the tide of kidnapping g, armed robbery, armed banditry And sundry highly organised crimes across the country within the shortest possible time,”
The IGP, who vowed that the Police shall do all within its power and means to achieve the task, acknowledged that they cannot do it alone hence the Force is collaborating with the Armed Forces, intelligence community and other sister agencies, even as he solicited the full support of the civil populace, particularly traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth associations, market bodies, OMG others.
“Hoarding criminal information, providing safe haven for criminals, or acting as accomplices in any form is tantamount to ridding on the back of a hungry tiger and endangering not just oneself as an individual, but the entire community. We therefore, call on all citizens to resolve to collaborate with the Police in attaining the objectives of Operation Puff Adder,” he said.
The Police boss also explained that the operation would cover Abuja-Kaduna Highway and adjoining communities and extend to Kogi, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara state, and appealed to drivers and commuters and all that may come in contact with policemen deployed on this operation, to obey instructions and security advice from them, especially while travelling on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
