CRIME RATE IS DECLINING – IGP CLAIMS

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has claimed that the crime rate in the country was declining, despite reports of violent killings and kidnappings across the country.

The Zamfara Police Command on Sunday confirmed that 34 persons were killed by bandits in Tungar Kafau and Gidan Wawa communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state last Friday.

But speaking in Abuja on Monday at a meeting with senior officers at the Force headquarters, the IG stated that the police apprehended 424 suspected kidnappers between May 10 and June 14, 2019, with 101 persons arrested in Kaduna state.

He added that 79 suspects were picked up in Katsina, 54 suspects in Nasarawa and 32 in Taraba state.

Mohammed also explained that 276 armed robbery suspects were arrested within the same period with the highest number of 38 in Edo state, followed by 25 in Nasarawa state and 23 in the Federal Capital Territory.

He stated, “Within this context, it is noted that while there are still isolated cases of internal security breaches which often attract publicity and national attention, the crime rate in recent times has been on the decline. This is in contrast to the crime records over the preceding months.

“The foregoing is consequent upon the enhancement of the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police to respond to internal security threats and undertake intelligence-led operations. The successes achieved are linked to ‘Operation Puff Adder’ which has been a very potent anti-crime vehicle of the Nigeria Police.”

Mohammed revealed that 10,860 ammunition of various descriptions and calibre were recovered while a total of 301 firearms including a rocket launcher, AK47 assault rifles, pistols, and locally made guns, were similarly recovered from criminal elements across the country.

The IG further explained that a total of 44 murder suspects were arrested during the period under review, including seven in FCT and six in Kano State.

“Furthermore, 176 suspected cultists were arrested across the country while 77 stolen vehicles were recovered by Operation Puff Adder operatives nationwide between 10th May and 14th June 2019, with the highest number of 29 in FCT,” the police boss pointed out.

On the efforts to improve the security architecture, he noted that the move to implement the concept of community policing was part of strategies aimed at changing the security situation in the country.

This, he said, would ensure the effective integration of the citizens into the police internal security framework, guarantee the concept of policing by public consent and build partnerships required to address peculiar communal threats.