At least 319 kidnapped victims in Katsina State are said to have been rescued from kidnappers and bandits’ dens in 2024 by the gallant officers of the State Police Command.
The rescued victims have been reunited with their families and loved ones, says the Police Commissioner, CP Aliyu Musa.
According to CP Musa, the Command also succeeded in neutralising 40 bandits, recovered 2081 rustled animals and returned them to their rightful owners thus boosting the local economy.
The Police Commissioner disclosed this on Monday at the Police Officers Mess during the maiden-end-of-the-year event designed to present awards, honouring outgoing and retiring officers of the command.
He announced that the command also arrested 199 suspected armed rubbers, taking them off the streets and making the Katsina communities more secure.
He further added that the command has apprehended a total of 573 suspects for various offences including criminal force intimidation, and bridge of truth, which he believed, demonstrated the command’s commitment to tackling all forms of crimes.
“Our efforts have resulted in crime rate reduction across the State
“We have successfully dismantled several notorious criminal networks, recovered a substantial amount of exhibits, and rescued several kidnapped victims.
“We have also charged 23 major drug dealers to court, disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and promoting a safer and healthier society.
“We have arrested and prosecuted 32 suspected offenders.
“Furthermore, we have arrested 89 suspected motor vehicle thieves and recovered 27 vehicles and motorcycles making our roads safer for everyone.
“We have also in addition to our crime fighting efforts, succeeded in upgrading some of our command structures and facilities to ensure that they are model, efficient and adequately equipped with necessary equipment.
“These improvements have enhanced the efficiency of our operations and enable us to respond effectively to our emergencies and better serve our host community”, CP Musa noted.
In his goodwill message, the 17 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Katsina State, Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, believed that the bilateral cooperation between the police and the military in terms of operations, crime control and information sharing has been phenomenal.
He commended the Police Commissioner and his competent staff along with his capable field officers for their efforts, urging all to keep the flags flying not to relent in their efforts and to strive for greater achievements in the coming year.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Radda, congratulated recipients of the awards, stressed the need for all stakeholders to keep the state security momentum to completely expose and smash criminality and ensure peaceful and prosperous Katsina state.
He stated that when he assumed office on May 29th, 2023, the magnitude of insecurity was serious where he met 24 LGAs, seriously consumed by the insecurity with almost all the LGAs under siege by bandits, intermittent attacks, killings, kidnapping and rustling.
The governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa said, the State Government had in response to the security challenges, created the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, to address the internal security challenges in the State.
“We also created a robust, coherent, committed and consistent synergy between the security agencies in the State to address the menace of insecurity in the State.
“These efforts catapulted into extricating 16 LGAs from the shackles of the bandits within 10 months with even the front line LGAs in the State have been enjoying relative peace in their headquarters.
“Having achieved that much, we need to keep the momentum to completely expose and smash every aspect of criminality in the State. We should not relent in our efforts and synergy to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Katsina state”, he stated.
During the ceremony, Governor Dikko Radda was presented with an award in recognition of his unwavering commitment towards ending insecurity in Katsina State.
Other exceptional awards presented include security synergy awards presented to heads of sister security agencies, selfless service to humanity award, and finally leadership award to CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa for his incorruptible leadership and strategic thinking.
