By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Nigeria Police Force has reinforced security operations in Niger State following the mass abduction of residents in Borgu Local Government Area, with the deployment of a senior police officer and a tactical team to support ongoing rescue efforts.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, AIG Victor Olaiya, and a tactical team to join the Niger State Police Command in the operation.
The deployment is aimed at strengthening efforts to locate and rescue the abducted residents, while also improving security around communities affected by recent attacks.
Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, said the tactical team would move to Borgu immediately after arriving in the state to join personnel already conducting operations in the area.
Elleman said the command was still working to determine the exact number of residents abducted during the attacks as security agencies intensified efforts to locate the victims.
He disclosed that several suspected bandits and informants had been arrested in connection with the security situation, describing the arrests as part of efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating in the area.
The commissioner, however, called for additional personnel, armoured vehicles, surveillance equipment and protective gear to strengthen the capacity of security forces operating in affected communities.
During his visit to the Niger State Police Command in Minna, Disu said the police were working with the Nigerian Army, intelligence agencies and other security formations to secure the safe release of the victims.
He said some aspects of the ongoing operation could not be made public because of their operational sensitivity, but expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.
The IGP also assured officers and men of the command of the support of the police hierarchy, noting that personnel remained committed despite the risks associated with their duties.
Disu said the police were confronting armed groups across the country, despite casualties suffered during operations, including the recent killing of 10 officers while repelling bandits in Kebbi State, as well as other losses recorded in Zamfara and Yobe states.
The latest deployment is expected to boost the ongoing security operation in Borgu and strengthen efforts to rescue the abducted residents and restore confidence among communities affected by the attacks.
