From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North-West Zone, DIG Mohammed Sulaiman Abdul, has directed police officers in Kaduna State to sustain operations against bandits and other criminals, emphasizing that offenders should no longer find safe havens either within or outside the state.
During a visit to the Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters on Tuesday, the DIG conveyed a message from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, praising officers for recent operational successes and urging them to ramp up efforts against criminal gangs.
He stated that the police would shift from reactive policing to intelligence-led, technology-driven approaches to prevent crime before it happens.
“We should be more focused and remain on the offensive. When bandits and other criminals know we have the firepower, they will think twice before striking. We should keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and maintain the momentum,” he quoted the Inspector-General as saying.
Abdul identified Kaduna as a strategic state due to its location, which makes it a target for complex criminal groups, stressing the need for security agencies to prevent bandits from operating freely across state lines.
He ordered commanders to fully execute the “Handshake Patrol” initiative, which encourages joint operations and intelligence sharing among neighboring states.
“Criminal elements must no longer commit atrocities in Kaduna and then retreat across state borders. We must sustain proactive cross-border security cooperation with neighboring commands,” he said.
The DIG highlighted six key policy priorities outlined by the Inspector-General: intelligence-led policing, accountability and respect for human rights, community policing, inter-agency collaboration, operational specialization, and improved welfare for police officers.
He mentioned that the Force is strengthening intelligence gathering through technology, increasing community engagement, and improving cooperation with the military, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to fight insecurity.
He also assured officers that the leadership of the Force would continue prioritizing their welfare through better training, healthcare, housing, and other support systems to enhance operational effectiveness.
Earlier, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, stated that the command had maintained intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies despite ongoing security challenges.
He reported that these operations have led to the rescue of kidnapping victims, seizure of illegal arms, and disruption of criminal networks across the state.
Muhammad described the DIG’s visit as timely and morale-boosting, assuring him that the command remains committed to implementing the Inspector-General’s policing vision and strengthening security throughout Kaduna State.
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