IGP Charges Zamfara Police Not To Run Away From Bandits

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has charged police personnel operating under the Zamfara State Police Command not to be scared, retreat, or surrender to criminals whose activities deny citizens in the state the opportunity to enjoy peace.

IGP Disu made the charge at the Zamfara State Police Command on Tuesday after the burial of slain officers who lost their lives on Monday while on official duty along the Anka–Bagega road, where an IED exploded during an operation to deactivate it for public safety.

The IGP further encouraged police personnel to remain brave in the fight against banditry, assuring them of welfare and logistics support. He added that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Force Headquarters, and other security agencies are fully behind them.

“Let me at this juncture call on you, with a strong voice, to double your efforts to ensure total denial of all opportunities for bandits and other criminal elements to cause hardship for innocent citizens. Deny them the chance to operate and stop their activities at all costs.

“You should not wait until they come. Do not position yourselves only in self-defence. Take the fight to their enclaves. Do all that you can to bring the bandits and other criminal elements to justice or eliminate them, as the situation may require.

“Enough is enough. Take this directive to heart. Keep it in mind that the eyes of the nation are on you to restore peace and security. Fire them back anytime they fire you. The restoration of lasting peace is now in your patriotic hands,” the IGP said.

Earlier, Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Muhammad Nakwada, extended the state government’s condolences to the Federal Government and the Police Force Headquarters over the loss of the officers. He also pledged continued support and collaboration to end banditry in the state.

“The state government under the leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal will not relent in encouraging our gallant police officers, troops of the Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, state government-recruited CPG, and other assisting agencies, including members of the Civilian JTF, to ensure total liberation of the good people of Zamfara State from banditry and other heinous crimes,” the SSG assured.