Police begin forest raids in Nasarawa to flush out bandits and kidnappers
- Nasarawa police have started a special operation to clear bandits and kidnappers from forests across the state.
- Commissioner Shetima Mohammed said the raids follow an order from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
- The operation will run until the end of December, with the state split into three sectors.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a special operation to push bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals out of forests across the state.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Mohammed announced the exercise on Tuesday in Lafia, addressing officers before they moved into Alagye Forest in Doma Local Government Area.
He said the operation follows a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to strengthen security and restore peace in Nasarawa.
Tactical teams, anti-kidnapping operatives and intelligence officers have been sent to known trouble spots and forested areas, according to the commissioner.
Three sectors, one coordinator
To cover the state properly, the command has split it into three operational sectors. Sector A covers the Lafia zone and is led by ACP Lamidu Alkali of Mopol 58, Lafia. Sector B, the Akwanga zone, is headed by ACP Kadir Umar of Mopol 38, Akwanga. Sector C, the Keffi zone, is led by ACP Olobekga Saligo of Mopol 69, Toto.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Sanusi Jidda, will coordinate the three sectors so criminal camps are cleared out effectively.
Mohammed said the operation will run until the end of December and told the officers to stay professional and follow the rules of engagement.
Jidda, who led the team into Alagye Forest, said credible intelligence showed bandits and kidnappers were using the forest as a hideout. He said more than six units of well-equipped officers have been mobilised, and the raids will extend to forested areas in Akwanga and Toto LGAs.
We will not spare any criminal or their hideout. We have commenced aggressive raids on all known and suspected criminal camps.
He said suspects will be arrested and taken to court.
What happens next
The police are asking residents to pass on timely, credible information about criminal activity, promising that tip-offs will be kept confidential. They also urged people to go about their normal business.
For families in Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi and Doma, the test will be whether the raids make the roads and farmlands around these forests safer in the coming weeks.
