The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in the early hours of today, 17^th May, 2013, in Katsina State, successfully repelled attacks from a group of armed hoodlums who had besieged the ancient town of Daura, carrying out coordinated attacks on police facilities and banks.

After a long gun battle with the hoodlums, the criminals were over-powered by the Police. The exceptional display of courage and gallantry by the Policemen resulted in the death of five (5) of the heavily armed gang and the inflicting of severe injuries on dozens of others who managed to escape with bullet wounds, abandoning their weapons in the process.  

Weapons and other items recovered by the Police from the gang included: twelve (12) AK-47 rifles, fifteen (15) AK 47 magazines, fifteen (15) Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), as well as two vehicles (a Golf and a Toyota saloon car) used by the hoodlums as operational vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, has commended the efforts of the Katsina State Police Command for repelling and foiling the criminal attacks. He enjoined the Nigeria Police officers not to relent in their efforts at combating all forms of crime and criminality, until the battle against terrorism is won.  
 

While assuring Nigerians of the readiness of the Force to live up to its constitutional responsibility of ensuring the safety of the citizenry, the IGP urged the public to promptly report any suspicious movement to the Police and other sister security agencies.

Investigation into the incident has since commenced.

CSP FRANK E. MBA

DEPUTY FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR: FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA

As part of efforts at encouraging a wider and communal participation in the investigation into the recent killing of Police men in Nasarawa State, the Police High Command has established a dedicated telephone line for members of the public who may wish to provide vital and useful information to the Police.  To this effect, the IGP appeals to Nigerians who may be in possession of information that could aid on – going investigation not to hesitate in providing same to the Police, promising that all such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Such information can be provided via phone number 07066228200 (calls or SMS) or email: policemonitor@npf.gov.ng. The IGP reminded the public that an attack on the security Forces of any nation is an attack on the entire nation. He therefore appeals to Nigerians to support the Police as it strives to tackle this and other security challenges facing the nation.  

Meanwhile, in a bid to ameliorate the plight of the dependants and family members of the fallen police officers, the IGP has ordered the immediate relocation of the Force Welfare Officer, DCP Abiodun Ige from Force Headquarters to Nasarawa State to enable her effectively and speedily coordinate all welfare related issues touching on the families of the late officers, including but not limited to the payment of all statutory and relevant compensations.

The IGP appeals for patience and understanding of family and friends of the slain officers, particularly as it relates to the issue of the release of the bodies of the officers, promising that all corpses will be released as soon as preliminary enquiries are concluded.

While restating the commitment of the Force to uncover and bring to book the perpetrators of this crime, the IGP reassures the family members and friends of the deceased that the Force is united with them in grief and will neither forsake nor abandon them at this trying moment.

Meanwhile, the AIG in charge of Zone 4 (covering Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States) AIG Mike Zuokumor has on the orders of the IGP relocated to Nasarawa State. A highly experienced and an operationally-minded officer, he is currently coordinating all ongoing operations relating to the incident.

The Police High Command received early this morning news of the unprovoked and brutal killing of scores of Policemen who were on legitimate assignment in Nasarawa State.

This disturbing, condemnable and highly distressing incident, coming closely after similar ones in Bayelsa and Borno States, have thrown up new and emerging threat in the delicate task of policing our country.

We consider the attack not just an attack on the Nigeria Police and its officers and men but an attack on the collective will of Nigerians to protect and preserve our dear fatherland; this we have vowed to put an end to.

Consequently, the IGP has directed all its field commanders and Special Units including Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to harness all resources available within their domain in ensuring that this reign of terror and lawlessness is brought to an end. 

The Nigeria Police Force working in conjunction with all positive minded Nigerians, will do everything within its powers to fish out and bring to book all those involved in this and other similar killings of law enforcement agents.

We must put an end to this endless circle of impunity.  Enough is enough.

CSP FRANK E. MBA
DEPUTY FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR: FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,  ABUJA

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, has ordered the redeployment of eleven (11) Commissioners of Police (CPs) to Commands and Formations. The IGP’s order followed the recent elevation of some senior officers to the rank of Commissioners of Police and the retirement of some Commissioners of Police in State Commands and Police Formations.

The newly redeployed CPs have been charged to show commitment in the fight against crime and criminality in the respective new beats. They are to ensure that they work cordially with the public and to serve as motivation to their subordinate officers in the discharge of their onerous responsibilities.

The IGP has also directed the CPs to be mindful of the fundamental rights of the citizenry and ensure that complaints are promptly attended to avoid the miscarriage of justice. He further directed all effected officers to ensure that handing and taking - over exercises are completed as when due.

The redeployment exercise is as contained in the table below:

Officers postings take immediate effect.