By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Special Task Force established by Governor Uba Sani to combat gang activities and phone snatching in Kaduna State has recovered arms and arrested 398 suspects across various locations.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Hassan Mansir, the swift and targeted raids, driven by credible intelligence, also forced many criminals to flee Kaduna State for fear of arrest.
The statement further disclosed that within the first nine days of operations, the Task Force apprehended one Mathew Adamu, a notorious criminal known for terrorizing local communities.
The Task Force comprises personnel from the Nigeria Police Force (as the lead agency), the military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Customs Service, and the Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVIS).
DSP Mansir also revealed that a locally made pistol was recovered from one Adamu Umar, a known drug dealer. His case has been referred to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
The operation also led to the recovery of various dangerous weapons, illicit drugs, and 29 stolen mobile phones, some of which have been returned to their rightful owners after proper identification and verification.
DSP Mansir explained that the operation was launched in response to a surge in urban crime, including violent attacks, phone snatching, and the rise of gangsterism.
He recalled that during the inauguration of the Special Joint Task Force on Community Policing and Drug Control, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, reiterated the administration’s commitment to public safety and crime prevention. She declared that “Kaduna City will not become a haven for gangsters.”
“The situation we have found ourselves in, although regrettable, can be surmounted with diligence, dedication, and commitment from all relevant stakeholders and community members,” she stated.
It was also recalled that internal security in the state had significantly deteriorated in recent weeks due to the activities of phone snatchers and street criminals who frequently stab victims during attacks.
