We never connived, aided abetted banditry – Kaduna police Command

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna state police command has refuted allegations of complicity and compromise on the part of the operatives  in the fight against banditry in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Muhammad Jalige stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The Command reacting to the allegations emanating from the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase said the report that bandits who were arrested by the Police were subsequently released is unfounded and misleading.

The statement stated that within the past 11 months, the Kaduna State Police Command has been at the forefront in the fight against banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping in the state.

This, according to the statement has led to the arrest of a total of 305 suspects for involvement in the series of banditry attacks, armed robbery, and kidnapping operations on the Kaduna-Abuja highway and other localities in Kaduna State.

“Out of these, 242 suspects are being prosecuted at various courts within the State. Similarly, a total of 161 sophisticated firearms and weapons, and 2,924 ammunition were recovered by the Police in the various crime-fighting operations.

“Also, 168 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and reunited with their families.

“ The Command, therefore, wishes to state unequivocally that at no time has it connived, aided, or abetted the commission of these heinous crimes in the State.”