In an interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi called on community leaders to support security agencies in the fight against bandits and other elements threatening peace and security of the country.
He said the call followed security checks that confirmed that most banditry activities were perpetrated by people living in contiguous communities.
According to him, the people use unpatriotic people in the same communities as agents that aid them with intelligence in carrying out their nefarious activities.
“I, therefore, call on community leaders to appeal to all peace-loving members of their communities to cooperate with security agencies in their efforts at fighting bandits and other elements threatening peace and security,” he said.
The minister said policing infrastructure is currently receiving attention, to strengthen kinetic operations against mindless persons or groups orchestrating violence against Nigerians.
He said the recent deployment of drones by the Nigeria Police, for surveillance of vulnerable locations and additional Explosive Ordinance Devices to detect bombs and other covert measures would help in curtailing violent crimes.
According to him, the Police is also re-strategising its kinetic and non-kinetic operations with a view to crushing all forms of security challenges in the country.
The minister said the recent unfortunate security developments in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and some parts of Sokoto States were of serious concern to government.
He said the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining peace to create conducive environment for economic growth, would continue to require the support of the media.
Dingyadi said the idea was to promote inclusiveness and a consistent campaign against enemies of the collective good of Nigerians.
