In the wake of the Force determination to rid the state of
criminal elements, no fewer than 30 kidnapping, armed robbery and other
offences suspects, terrorising kogi state have been arrested by the men of the
Kogi state command of the Nigeria Police force.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kogi State Commissioner
of police, Wilson Inalegwu, during an interaction with Journalists in Lokoja.
He stated that, the command has to launch massive operations
across the state to ensure that the state is free from kidnappers and armed
robbers during the coming Eid Kabir cerebration.
” We have to commence the operation across the state. As you
are aware, the state was hitherto reputed for high incidence of kidnappings and
armed robberies. We will continue the operation until after the Muslim
festival.
“We dont want to take chances , to give them opportunity to
strike. We are taking the battle to their hideouts. The Area commanders and
DPOs are on the look out for the criminals,conducting raids at red spots with
good numbers of arrest.
” Today, daily operations is ongoing at Okene, Headquarters
of Okene LGA, with the support of Kwara state police command to beef up the
manpower needs of our command.
” Our synergy with the other security agencies and the
people of the community have given us an edge over the criminals.To be specific
, One Yahaya Isiaka, from Okehi was arrested in the full military camouflage
and he is under going interrogation,” he informed.
While assuring the people of the state and the transit
travelers across the state of safety of lives and property, Inalegwu noted that
his community Policing strategy have become a menace to criminals even as
useful information are being dished out leading to arrest of suspects.
He maintained that, before his assumption of office, the
State was a no go area for travelers because of high profile cases of
kidnappings and armed robberies.The Police Commissioner also stressed that his
proactive measures have reduced the tide, making the State safer for the
people.
The CP also disclosed that the herdsmen / framers clashes
leading to wanton, destruction of lives and properties has been curtailed with
the community policing strategy, saying that some suspected cattle rustlers
have been arrested.
He, however, implored the public to utilized the phone-in
programmes created by the command on NTA Lokoja aired every Thursday and on
Grace Fm Lokoja, every Saturday by contributing constructively to assist the
command in crime prevention and control.
By John Akinfehinwa
