The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Squad code named “Operation Puff Adder” deployed to Katsina state has been inaugurated.
The state Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, at the inauguration said the “Operation Puff Adder” comprises units from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Units (CTU), IGP-Special Tactical Squad (STS), Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and IGP-Rapid Response Team (IRRT) to Katsina state.
On arrival, he said, the Squad went through specialised training, facilitated by the International Peace Keeping Training Team from Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“The Special Squad will be camped in three (3) strategic locations to cover eight (8) frontline local government areas of Katsina state with a mandate to identify, engage and arrest suspected bandits and also to respond to distress call within their locations,” he said.
“They will work closely and assiduously with leaders of the communities, specially reliable vigilante groups, leaders of thought, and well-meaning citizens in getting credible intelligence that will not only lead to the arrest of the bandits but the recovery of their operational weapons,” he added.
He said in order to achieve this feat, all hands must be on deck noting that “We are appealing to the good people of Katsina state to provide us with credible and actionable intelligence that will assist in carrying out this national assignment.”
“It is absolutely imperative to warn that bad elements in the communities who assist the bandits materially or otherwise should desist or else they will be fished out and dealt with according to the law,” he said.
“Let me hasten to warn that all officers and men engaged in this operation must adhere strictly to the rules of engagement and avoid any action that could drag the dignity of the force to disrepute.
“Any unprofessional attitude will be severely reprimanded and successes achieved will also be rewarded accordingly,” he added.
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