Borgu kidnapping: IGP deploys AIG, tactical team to Niger
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has dispatched Assistant Inspector-General Victor Olaiya, who oversees Zone 7 in Abuja, along with a tactical team to Niger State. This deployment aims to bolster efforts to rescue residents abducted during recent attacks in the Borgu Local Government Area.
Disu made the announcement during a visit to the Niger State Police Command, where he conferred with senior officers at the police headquarters in Minna. His visit followed a meeting with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and a reception by Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba.
During his remarks, Disu emphasized that the responsibility of the rescue operation extends beyond the police, noting the collaboration with the Nigerian Army, intelligence agencies, and other security entities to ensure the safe recovery of the victims.
“The Nigeria Police Force is contributing everything it can, and the sister agencies have come together — the intelligence agencies, the Nigerian Army — and we are working together to ensure that we bring them out safely from wherever they are,” Disu stated.
While he expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far, Disu acknowledged that certain operational measures could not be shared publicly due to their sensitive nature. He reassured officers of the police hierarchy’s support, emphasizing the importance of their efforts amid challenging conditions.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on the police to do the needful, and I didn’t come for a ceremony, but I came with a strong message of support for the officers and men of the command who work under demanding conditions,” Disu said.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner of Police Adamu Abdullahi Elleman expressed gratitude to the IGP for his intervention, specifically the deployment of AIG Olaiya and the tactical team. Elleman noted that the team would proceed to Borgu to reinforce ongoing operations aimed at rescuing the abducted residents and securing affected communities.
He indicated that the police are working to ascertain the exact number of individuals kidnapped during the attacks and that security agencies continue their efforts to locate and rescue the victims. Furthermore, Elleman mentioned that several suspected bandits and informants had been arrested in a bid to dismantle criminal networks in the region.
However, he called for additional resources, including more personnel, armored vehicles, surveillance equipment, and protective gear, to enhance the capacity of security personnel in protecting communities. This added support, he asserted, would strengthen security operations and help restore residents’ confidence in the affected areas.
In addressing the broader security situation, Disu highlighted that police forces have been deployed nationwide and are actively confronting armed groups, despite the loss of several officers. Notably, ten officers were recently killed while trying to repel bandits in Kebbi, among others lost in Zamfara and Yobe states.
