The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has launched nationwide clearance operations targeting suspected criminal hideouts, kidnapping camps, and other security hotspots following the training and retraining of personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CS Pani Iniedu, the operations are aimed at disrupting banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, restricting the movement of criminal groups, and improving security across communities.
The Force disclosed that the exercise began with a pilot operation at Alagye Village in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following intelligence reports about a suspected kidnappers’ camp in a nearby forest.
According to the police, tactical personnel conducted a survey and clearance of the identified location but found the site deserted at the time of the operation.
The Force said the exercise would be extended to state commands across the country, with deployments guided by intelligence and prevailing security conditions.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed officers participating in the operations to maintain sustained pressure on bandits and other criminal networks, deny them freedom of action and ensure that the exercise produces tangible improvements in public safety.
Disu also charged the personnel to uphold discipline, professionalism and respect for human rights and the rule of law throughout the operations.
The police urged members of the public to cooperate with officers deployed to their communities and provide credible information that could assist efforts to identify and apprehend criminal suspects.
The Force added that it would continue to provide updates as the clearance operations progress across state commands.
The nationwide initiative forms part of the police’s efforts to strengthen tactical capacity, tackle violent crime and protect lives and property across the country.
