Kogi Police Launch Statewide Crackdown on Banditry, Deploy Tactical Teams to Hotspots

Kogi Police Launch Statewide Crackdown on Banditry, Deploy Tactical Teams to Hotspots

Kogi CP. Naziru Bello Kankarofi

The Kogi State Police Command has intensified proactive operations across the state to curb banditry and violent crime, following directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said the Command has identified suspected bandit enclaves and supply routes and deployed coordinated tactical teams to monitor and disrupt criminal movements. Officers have been strategically positioned across all three senatorial districts to ensure continuous visibility policing, with focus on known hotspots.

Intelligence operations have also been scaled up, with intelligence units deployed to generate actionable leads for proactive interventions. The Command said intelligence-based stop-and-search operations have been intensified, while covert surveillance is ongoing in vulnerable locations.

To boost inter-agency response, the police are working with the Department of State Services, the military, and other security agencies through joint operations and regular coordination meetings. A reinforced joint operations framework is in place to improve information sharing and rapid response to threats.

The Command has increased engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, and local government authorities to strengthen local security architecture. Stakeholders were urged to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.

All tactical units — including the Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit, and Counter Terrorism Unit — have been placed on high alert and are conducting 24-hour patrols of farmlands, forests, border areas, worship centres, and other public gathering points. Supervising officers have been directed to ensure strict oversight to maintain discipline and operational efficiency.

Kankarofi said the Command is monitoring all vulnerable points across the state and has mandated hourly situation reports to ensure constant situational awareness. He warned that any lapse in supervision will attract strict disciplinary measures.

The CP reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to peace and public safety and asked the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the control room on 0703 832 9084 or 0815 219 5982.

The statement, signed by Police Public Relations Officer ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat on April 7, 2026, reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven policing and called for continued cooperation to rid the state of criminal elements.