The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has commended the Katsina State Police Command for its giant strides in combating crimes and criminality in the State, particularly rolling back the negative trend of the activities of bandits and other criminal elements in the State, rescuing kidnapped victims and reuniting them with their families and improving public confidence.
The Inspector General of Police gave the commendation during a one-day official visit to Katsina State on Thursday.
The visit was part of efforts at carrying out on-the-spot security assessment in the State, mobilizing members of the public and other credible stakeholders against crimes, boosting the confidence of Police operatives in the Command and providing the needed leadership for onslaught against crimes and criminality.
The IGP noted that the operational strategies currently being implemented by the Force to stabilize security order across the country and improve public safety has begun to yield positive and significant results.
Baba further noted that in Katsina State, for instance, within the past four months of the current administration, a total 1,503 suspected high-profile criminals were arrested in connection with different violent crimes in the State, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, sexual and gender-based crimes among others.
The arrests included 267 suspected armed robbers, 304 suspected kidnappers and 97 bandits.
Baba stated that Police operatives also successfully rescued 393 kidnapped victims and have since reunited them with their families and communities.
The IGP also confirmed that the Force has made tremendous success in breaking the weapon supply chain to bandits and other criminal elements in the State.
This, he said, is evident in the interception and recovery of sophisticated weapons, including four GPMG, 37 AK47 rifles, two G3 rifles, 288 anti-aircraft ammunition and 118 AK47 ammunition.
Meanwhile, the IGP has assured the nation that despite the harsh operational environment in which Police officers operate, the Force will continue to improve on the gains in the fight against crimes across the country.
Baba called on parents and guardians, traditional rulers, political leaders and religious leaders and other critical stakeholders, to provide necessary leadership, counselling, mentoring and support needed to guide citizens, particularly the youths, out of the path of crime and criminality.