The Delta Police Command has inaugurated a Special Squad codenamed “Operation Puff Adder” to further curb criminal activities in the state.
The Delta Commissioner of Police (CP) Adeyinka Adeleke inaugurated the special squad on Tuesday night in Warri in line with the directive of the IGP Mohammed Adamu.
Adeleke said that the action would help to further reposition the Command for effective and efficient operations.
According to him, it will also go a long way in curbing incidences of kidnapping, robbery, cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
“To this end, “Operation Puff Adder” is hereby established and launched in the Command to curb the activities of criminals in the state and checkmate their sponsors.
“Operation Puff Adder” outfit will further ensure a safer environment for the people of Delta,” he said.
The CP said the special squad was aimed at taking policing in Delta closer to the communities.
Adeleke added that it would increase police visibility and shore up the response time to distress calls.
He said that the Police Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers would lead the teams in their respective areas of Operation.
“The Operation will be under my direct supervision. The personnel for this operation are drawn from the conventional Police and tactical units such as, Mobile Police Force.
“Others are: the Special Protection Unit, Quick Response Squad, Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad, State Intelligence and Investigation Bureau(SIIB) amongst other units,” Adeleke said.
The CP said the State Command had made a tremendous achievement in crime fighting within the short period he assumed office.
According to him, 92 suspects had been apprehended under his watch in connection with various crimes ranging from armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, cultism among others.
“Nine kidnapped victims have been rescued and a total number of thirty eight (38) firearms and large number of ammunition have been recovered across the state,” he said.
The police chief urged officers and men of the new special squad to be very professional in their operations.
He also urged them to operate within the ambit of the law and in a proper manner that would project the image of the Nigeria Police Force in good light before the citizenry.
Adeleke said that the success of the police force in the performance of its duties was largely measured by the degree of support and cooperation it received from the public.
He, however, said that the business of securing and keeping the society at peace was a collective responsibility.
“It is of paramount importance to secure the confidence , respect and cooperation of the public through our performance, conducts and attitude towards the members of the public.
“The business of securing and keeping our society at peace is not that of security agents alone but everybody’s business.
“Apart from being law abiding, it is our civic responsibilities to assist law enforcement agents in the performance of their lawful duty.
“I therefore, call on the Vigilance groups and other Stakeholders , more especially the local authorities and all good people of Delta.
“To continue to assist the Police with useful and intelligence information on the criminals and their hideouts, so as to make this crime fighting project a success.
“The criminals are also advised to repent or face the consequences of non-repentance,” he said.
While thanking the Delta government for its tremendous assistance, Adeleke appealed that the support should be extended to the operation to enable it to succeed in the state.
NAN recalls that in April the IGP launched Operation Puff Adder at Katari and Bishini on the Kaduna-Abuja highway to tackle kidnapping, robbery, and other crimes on the expressway and other parts of the country. (NAN)
