IGP directs Kebbi police to enhance border patrols after Lakurawa invade Niger community

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed the Kebbi Police Command to enhance coordinated border patrols with state commands and riverine units.

Mr Disu made the call on Tuesday while addressing officers during the commissioning of the Violent Crimes Response Unit, VCRU, at the Mobile Police Force, MOPOL, barracks in Birnin Kebbi.

Represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abdul, Mr Disu said:

“This handshake patrol strategy, aims to secure vulnerable borderlines and waterways against arms smuggling, cross-border banditry, and transnational crimes.

“The Kebbi command must immediately re-engineer its operational strategies to reflect a robust regional and federal synergy.

“You must optimise your riverine patrols, combining physical presence with actionable intelligence gathered in direct partnership with local fishing communities, transport unions, and traditional institutions”.

Mr Disu urged the command to extend land routes bordering Sokoto and Zamfara.

He commended the officers of the command for their resilience and courage in arresting a lot of criminals, the offensive must be sustained.

“Keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and sustain this momentum. You are the pride of the force. Thank you for your dedication and bravery.”

He said the NPF is operating on accountability, respect for human rights, and a zero-tolerance policy for professional misconduct.

He said that, through community policing and public trust, tall hall engagements, a lot of intelligence would be gathered to curb crimes in society.

While stressing the need for inter-agency partnership, Disu, said, sharing intelligence with the DSS, the military, especially through patrols between contiguous states would deny criminal elements escape routes.

Earlier, the Kebbi Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, said Kebbi shares borders with the Republic of Niger to the north and west and the Republic of Benin to the southwest.

“These border areas are frequently exploited by criminal elements, including Lakurawa bandits, Mamudawa/Boko Haram militias e.t.c to launch cross-border attacks and escape to their hideouts within forested border areas,” he said.

He said the command has sustained an intelligence-led, community policing concept and robust collaboration with sister security agencies.

Hadejia requested more logistics to effectively curb crimes in the state.