The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mohammed Abdul, has directed officers and personnel of the Kaduna State Police Command to sustain aggressive operations against bandits and other criminal elements operating within and around the state.
Speaking during a visit to the Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday, Abdul conveyed a message from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, commending officers for recent operational successes while urging them to intensify efforts against criminal gangs.
According to the DIG, the Nigeria Police Force is shifting from predominantly reactive policing to intelligence-led and technology-driven strategies aimed at preventing crime before it occurs.
He quoted the IGP as urging officers to remain proactive in confronting insecurity.
“We must remain focused and stay on the offensive. When bandits and other criminals know we have the firepower, they will think twice before striking. We should keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and sustain the momentum.”
Abdul described Kaduna as a strategically important state whose geographical position exposes it to sophisticated criminal networks operating across state boundaries. He stressed the importance of denying criminals safe havens by strengthening coordinated security operations with neighbouring states.
To achieve this, he directed police commanders to fully implement the “Handshake Patrol” initiative, designed to enhance joint operations, intelligence sharing, and coordinated responses among contiguous state commands.
“Criminal elements must no longer commit atrocities in Kaduna and retreat comfortably across state borders. We must maintain proactive cross-border security collaboration with contiguous commands,” he said.
The DIG also outlined six key policy priorities introduced by the IGP to guide policing across the country. These include intelligence-led policing, accountability and respect for human rights, community policing, inter-agency collaboration, operational specialisation, and improved welfare for police personnel.
He said the force is strengthening intelligence gathering through technology, deepening community engagement, and expanding collaboration with the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to address insecurity more effectively.
Abdul further assured officers that the police leadership remains committed to improving their welfare through enhanced training opportunities, better healthcare, improved housing, and other support programmes aimed at boosting operational effectiveness.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Rabiu Muhammad, said the command had continued to conduct intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies despite prevailing security challenges.
He noted that the operations had resulted in the rescue of kidnapped victims, the recovery of illegal arms, and the dismantling of criminal networks operating across the state.
Muhammad described the DIG’s visit as timely and morale-boosting, reaffirming the command’s commitment to implementing the IGP’s policing agenda and strengthening security across Kaduna State.
