Keep Pushing Harder Against Bandits, IGP Tells Police

The inspector-general of police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has charged officers and men of the Katsina State Police Command to “keep pushing harder” in the fight against banditry and other violent crimes, commending the command for the series of operational successes recorded across the state.

The charge was delivered by the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration and Supervising DIG for the North-West geopolitical zone, Sulaiman Muhammed, during an operational visit to the Katsina State Police Command.

Conveying the IGP’s message, the DIG praised the officers for their resilience, professionalism and commitment to tackling insecurity, noting that their efforts were yielding visible results.

“The people are noticing your courage. Well done. Keep pushing harder, stay focused, stay sharp and sustain the momentum,” Muhammed quoted the IGP as saying.

He said the Force Headquarters remains proud of the command’s achievements, particularly its proactive operations against bandits, kidnappers and their collaborators.

During the visit, commissioner of police Umar Ali Fage, presented an operational briefing, highlighting the command’s achievements in combating banditry, kidnapping, arms trafficking and illicit drug activities.

According to the commissioner, intelligence-led operations conducted between March and June led to the dismantling of a six-member kidnapping syndicate responsible for the abduction of an eight-year-old boy, with police recovering ₦7.5 million from the ransom paid by the victim’s family.

The command also foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine victims at Kanya Village in Batsari local government area on June 12.

Other achievements recorded during the period included the arrest of nine suspected armed bandits and two gunrunners in Matazu and Kankia local government areas, as well as the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles, six magazines and 180 rounds of live ammunition.

The commissioner further disclosed that police operatives recovered 27 stolen motorcycles, rescued 740 rustled animals and seized 6,956 suspected illicit drugs during separate operations.

While acknowledging the security challenges facing frontline local government areas such as Batsari, Jibia, Safana, Dan Musa, Kankara and Sabuwa, CP Musa said sustained collaboration with sister security agencies and community stakeholders had significantly degraded the operational capacity of criminal groups.

He assured residents that the command would continue to maintain an offensive posture against criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored across Katsina State.

The DIG’s visit was part of efforts by the Force Headquarters to assess operational performance, boost officers’ morale and reinforce strategies aimed at improving security across the North-West region.