Operation Puff Adder: IGP Ttakes battle to bandits in Sokoto and Zamfara

(PRESS RELEASE)

As the Nigeria Police Force and other security forces intensify their offensive against armed bandits currently terrorizing parts of the country, the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Tuesday, stormed the two states groaning under the evil activities of armed bandits and other criminals, Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively.

A statement issued by Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, said Adamu was accompanied on the trip by Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG (Operations), Mr. Abdulmajid Ali.

The visit, according to Mba, was to enable the IGP conduct an on-the-spot evaluation of operational and deployment strategies currently in place in both states, afford the IGP ample opportunity to have a “one-on-one” interaction with officers and men on the ground, and. galvanize local support for all the security agencies currently engaged in Operation Puff Adder.

While addressing the officers and men of both commands, Adamu charged them to be on the offensive and take the battle to the bandits’ camp and ensure total reclamation of conquered territories and dominate all the public spaces the criminals hitherto occupied by them. Above all, they must work their hands to the bones to bring the bandits to justice.

In a Town Hall Meeting held in Gusau, capital of Zamfara State, Adamu commiserated with the community members, particularly those who lost their loved ones or incurred one loss or another as a result of the activities of the bandits.  He,however, called on the people to support the security agencies with trustworthy intelligence and relevant information that could aid the success of the operation.

Among those present at the Town Hall Meeting were: relevant stakeholders like top government officials, Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Prof. Abdullahi Muhammad; the Chief of Staff to the Zamfara State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Abulkarim; traditional rulers, local government chairmen, farmers association, Mityetti Allah, religious leaders, to mention just a few.

On their part, the stakeholders commended the Federal Government for banning mining activities in their area. They equally requested for increased deployment of policemen to their communities, even as they prayed that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force be allowed to join the police in tackling the menace of armed bandits in their communities.