FCT: IGP deploys 150 operatives to Abuja to tackle kidnappings

THE Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has deployed 150 operatives, including riot policemen and special forces in Abuja.

This is following the rising cases of abductions in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, disclosed that the deployed personnel will beef up the security in the nation’s capital which has been under onslaught of kidnappers in the past few weeks.

He stated, “It would be recalled that two days ago, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, launched a strategic operation (Operation Puff Adder II) involving the deployment of human and operational assets to address the emerging security challenges and rid the country of criminal elements.

“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police has graciously deployed 150 personnel consisting of operatives from the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit and Special Forces in the Federal Capital Territory to reinforce the on-going counter kidnapping operations.

“The deployment will strengthen security, dismantle and dislodge all criminal hideouts especially kidnappers’ camps within the FCT.”

Ciroma further said that the command would use the operation to foster community policing and collaboration with other security agencies.

“Hence, I charge all personnel deployed within the FCT to be professional, firm, dedicated, civil with law-abiding citizens and ruthless to all criminal elements,” the CP admonished.

In the same vein, the FCT Administration has vowed to tackle the menace of scavengers, cultism and drug abuse head-on as a means of reducing insecurity in the FCT.

This was disclosed by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello during the FCT Security Committee meeting held on Tuesday.

“Each time there is a crisis, you find that people of no known address, people without any means of livelihood suddenly come up with arms and start fighting each other and killing each other. All these are done under the influence of drugs and this is something that we are going to confront head-on,” he said.

The scavengers, Bello revealed, had hitherto concentrated their criminal activities on vandalizing public utilities but had now become major threats to lives and property, reiterating that their activities remain banned in the Federal Capital City.