IG seeks tougher legislation against kidnapping as Op Puff Adder nets 2,175 suspects

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has called for tougher legislations against kidnapping and banditry, including possible state seizure of assets linked to illicit proceeds from kidnapping and other heinous crimes.
This, the IGP believes, will act as a strong disincentive to potential kidnappers and other violent criminals.
Adamu made the call on Wednesday while addressing a delegation of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Nasarawa State Chapter, led by Alhaji Aminu Muazu Maifata, which paid him the traditional Salah visit in his official quarters in Abuja.
He noted that the call has become necessary based on the increasingly daring resort to these forms of crimes by criminal elements in the society.
The IGP also seized the opportunity of the visit to apprise the visitors on the successes recorded by Operation Puff Adder in the ongoing fight against criminal elements across the country.
Adamu stated that since the launch of Operation Puff Adder on April 5, 2019 till date, 63 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt by Police operatives.
In a similar vein, 2,175 suspects were arrested for the following offences: Kidnapping, 852; Armed Rubbery, 865; Murder, 359; and Cultism, 99.
With respect to arms recovery, the IGP noted that 834 Arms, including two rocket launchers and 19,009 live ammunition were recovered, with Oyo State recording the highest number of 9,500 live ammunition.
Adamu stated that the Police was rejigging strategies to ensure proactive interception of illicit weapons destined for Nigeria and at the same time mop up un-authorized weapons in circulation.
According to the IGP, while a good number of the cases are already being prosecuted in courts across the country, many of the cases are still under active investigation owing largely to the complexity of investigating and managing organised crimes.
While commending his men for a good job, the IGP stated that the mind-boggling size of the arrests and arms recovered so far is a testament to the efficacy of Operation Puff Adder and more importantly to the unalloyed and unwavering support of the public to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.