The Nasarawa State Police Command has commenced a special operation to flush out bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals hiding in forests across the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Shetima Mohammed, flagged off the operation on Wednesday in Lafia while addressing operatives before moving into Alage Forest in the Doma Local Government Area of the state.

Mohammed said the exercise is in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to strengthen security and restore lasting peace in the state.
He revealed that tactical squads, anti-kidnapping units and intelligence operatives have been deployed to identified criminal hideouts and forest corridors.

The operation, he said, will run until the end of December, with officers urged to maintain professionalism and strictly follow the rules of engagement.
To ensure better coordination, the state has been divided into three operational sectors.

“Sector A which covers Lafia zone is under ACP Lamidu Alkali, Squadron Commander of MOPOL 58, Lafia. Sector B covering Akwanga zone is headed by ACP Kadir Umar, Squadron Commander of MOPOL 38, Akwanga, while Sector C covering Keffi zone is led by ACP Olobekga Saligo, Squadron Commander of MOPOL 69, Toto,” the CP said.

He added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Sanusi Jidda, will coordinate activities across the three sectors for the successful dismantling of criminal camps.
The CP appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information on suspicious movements, assuring that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
He also urged the public to remain law abiding and go about their legitimate businesses reiterating the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property.