Joy Anyim
The Lagos State Police Command, has launched Operation PUFF ADDER, an initiative of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), meant to combat crime and criminality across the country.
The operation was launched, on Thursday, at the State Command Headquarters in Ikeja, by Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu.
While speaking at the launch of the operation, CP Muazu also gave a scorecard of police activities in the state, in the past four months.
According to the state police boss, 159 suspects had been arrested with 43 arms and 84 rounds of ammunition recovered.
Muazu’s words, “ Our collective effort in crime fighting have yielded positive result. Within the last four months, the command have arrested 159 suspects for armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism. We have recovered 43 arms and 84 rounds of ammunition.
“Our prompt response to distress calls, helped in foiling 80 armed robbery attempts, and on a sad note, we had 14 cases of suicide and attempted suicide.”
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Stating what operation PUFF ADDER hopes to achieve in the state, the CP said the operation is aimed at re-dominating and reclaiming the public space from heinous criminal element that are bent on threatening the nation’s internal security.
He said all the police units in the state have been drafted into the operation to ensure its success.
Declaring the operation open, CP Muazu said, “We are here to witness a renewed vigour and determination of the command to tackle the security challenges confronting our dear state.
“Of great concern are cases of cultism, traffic robbery, youth gangsterism and murder. We are today launching a special operation introduced by the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, code-named ’Operation PUFF ADDER’, aimed at re-dominating and reclaiming the public space from heinous criminal element that are bent on threatening the nation’s internal security order.
“Officers and men for the operations are drawn from police mobile force, tactical units, criminal intelligence bureau, criminal investigation department, rapid response squad, taskforce and conventional policemen.
The men were charged to ensure zero tolerance to all form of criminality, and deal decisively with criminal elements in Lagos state.”
In his warning to criminals in the state, CP Muazu said, “ Tough times indeed awaits those who choose the path of crime in the state. We will take the battle to their door steps.
“Lagosians have a right to a more peaceful and orderly state and with the support of the good people of Lagos state we will rid the state off criminal elements.”
He further advised men of the command participating in the operation to dischrage their duties within the ambit of the law and respect the fundamental human right of the citizenry.