The Nigeria Police has said the ongoing campaign against kidnapping and other violent crimes tagged: Operation Puff Adder has recorded the arrest of 2,175 suspects for kidnapping, armed robbery, murder and cultism, just as 834 arms, 19,009 live ammunition, 2 rocket launchers, and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.
This is as the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has called for tougher legislation against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, in a press statement, Wednesday in Abuja, said IGP Adamu also called for seizure of assets linked to illicit proceeds from kidnapping and other violent crimes to act as “strong disincentive to potential kidnappers and other violent criminals.”
The spokesperson said the police boss made the call while receiving members of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nasarawa state Chapter, led by Alhaji Aminu Muazu Maifata, who paid him Sallah visit at his official residence in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Mba said the IGP also seized the opportunity to brief the visitors on successes recorded by the operation since it was launched on April 5, 2019, including 63 kidnap victims who were rescued unhurt.
“In similar vein, 2,175 suspects were arrested: 852 for kidnapping; 865 for armed robbery; 359 for murder; and 99 for cultism.
“With respect to arms recovery, 834 arms, including two rocket launchers, 19,009 live ammunition were recovered with Oyo state recording the highest number of 9,500 live ammunition,” the police boss said.
The spokesperson said the IGP also disclosed that the police were rejigging their strategy to ensure proactive interception of illicit weapons destined to the country and at the same time mop up un- authorized weapons in circulation.
Adamu further stated that while a good number of the cases were already being prosecuted, some were still under investigation owing largely to the complexity of investigating and managing organised crimes.
