IGP launches Operation Puff Adder to tackle kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna highway

Following the spate of kidnappings, including the recent foiled kidnapping attempt, along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has on Friday, launched code Operation Puff Adder (OPA).

Operation Puff Adder is aimed at re-dominating and reclaiming the public space from heinous criminal elements that are bent on threatening the nation’s internal security order.

The operation will cover Abuja-Kaduna highway and adjoining communities. It will also extend to Kogi, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states.

Adamu issued a warning to all criminal elements, saying: “Give up your criminal activities, embrace other legitimate means of livelihood, or be prepared for the consequences of your criminality.

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“The citizens and the Police are now united in their resolve to take the battle to your doorsteps and bring you to deserved justice.”

The IGP said crimes, particularly those that endanger the lives and property of citizens, do not represent our traditional values as a people.

“No nation develops to its optimal potential in an environment of crimes and fear of criminality.

“Unfortunately, the activities of organised and murderous criminals across the country have evolved to become a threat not only to these values, but to our internal security.

“There must, therefore, come a time in the life of a nation when we, as a people, must strengthen our will, and resolve to mobilise and deploy all our assets towards confronting these criminal elements.

“Take the battle to their doorsteps and make a clear statement that the few deviants among us cannot and will not re-order our cherished national values.

“The time is now and today’s action by the Nigerian Police is aimed at this direction and it is in direct compliance with the directives of Mr. President to the Nigeria Police to re-evaluate and put in place new operational strategies.

“This is in order to stem the tide of kidnapping, armed robbery, armed banditry and sundry highly organised crimes across the country within the shortest possible time,” the IGP said

Adamu said as a lead agency in internal security management, the Nigeria Police under the current dispensation acknowledge that the duty of securing lives and property of citizens is its primary mandate.

He noted that no Police agency anywhere in the world, no matter how well-trained, equipped or motivated, can solely achieve its community security and safety mandate.

He said this could not be achieved without the support of the community it is engaged to serve.

“It is in consequence of this that the Nigeria Police is collaborating closely with the armed forces, the intelligence community and other sister security agencies in this operation and in its duties across the country.

He said to achieve the objectives of this special operation, the full support of the civil populace, particularly traditional rulers religious leaders youth association market bodies would be needed.

He charged the policemen deployed on this special operation to see their deployment as a call to national duty.

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