By Khalid Idris Doya
Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department (FID), DIG Zachariah Fera Achinyan, has assured Nigerians that criminals will never overwhelm the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the institution possesses the training, capacity and professional competence required to tackle criminal activities across the country.
He, however, acknowledged that certain operational challenges have affected the Force's ability to fully meet public expectations.
DIG Achinyan stated this on Thursday during a stakeholders' engagement and consultative meeting held at the Bauchi State Police Command Headquarters with the coordinating Deputy Inspectors-General of Police for the North-East geopolitical zone.
The meeting was attended by DIG Zachariah Fera Achinyan of the Force Intelligence Department and DIG Ibrahim Baba Zango of the Department of Research and Planning, alongside traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), academics and media representatives.
Speaking on behalf of the coordinating DIGs, DIG Zachariah Fera Achinyan emphasised the importance of community collaboration in addressing the nation's growing security challenges.
The meeting, themed "Crime Fighting Initiative: Sustaining Community Partnership," provided a platform for security agencies and stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening public safety and enhancing cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
The DIG commended the people of Bauchi State for their continued support of the police, describing the large turnout as a reflection of public confidence in the institution.
According to him, the primary responsibility of the police is to serve and protect citizens, adding that the Force must remain committed to fulfilling the purpose for which it was established.
He noted that policing is guided by the Constitution and other extant laws, stressing that professionalism requires officers to operate strictly within the legal framework governing police duties.
"A good policeman functions within the parameters of the law. Any officer who acts contrary to established regulations cannot be regarded as professional because professionalism entails adherence to the oath of office and respect for the laws of the country," he said.
Achinyan observed that Nigeria is currently experiencing significant security challenges that have created uncertainty among citizens and affected economic activities in many communities.
He explained that one of the core responsibilities of the police is to provide a secure environment that enables citizens to live, work, conduct business and pursue their livelihoods without fear.
The DIG further noted that criminal activities have evolved over the years, with cybercrime and other technology-driven offences emerging as major security threats.
Recalling a time when citizens could travel freely at night without fear, he lamented the changing security landscape and stressed that contemporary security challenges require collective action rather than police intervention alone.
"You cannot effectively police a people without their consent and cooperation. Security is a shared responsibility, and we need citizens to collaborate with us in order to secure their communities effectively," he said.
He also underscored the importance of protecting citizens' constitutional rights, particularly the right to privacy, noting that law enforcement actions such as searches and arrests must always be conducted within the confines of the law.
The DIG disclosed that the inspector-general of police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu directed him to tour states across the North-East region to engage stakeholders, assess security concerns and obtain firsthand information on challenges affecting local communities.
According to him, the visit is aimed at strengthening partnerships and developing more effective strategies for enhancing security and public safety across the region.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, said the visit reflects the commitment of the inspector-general of police toward strengthening operational effectiveness through strategic assessment, guidance and stakeholder engagement.
The Commissioner noted that over the past five decades, the Bauchi State Police Command has continued to evolve in response to emerging security challenges through improved operational strategies and institutional reforms.
He identified several critical operational challenges facing the Command, including inadequate arms and ammunition, shortage of patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), motorcycles for difficult terrains, and modern intelligence-gathering equipment.
According to him, the Command requires additional weapons and ammunition to sustain operations against banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He also called for modern communication equipment, surveillance drones, CCTV systems equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, and other intelligence tools to enhance operational efficiency.
Despite these challenges, CP Aliyu said the Command recorded significant achievements within the last six months through the dedication of personnel and support from the Bauchi State Government and members of the public.
He disclosed that 294 suspects were investigated for various offences during the period. The breakdown includes 98 suspects for culpable homicide, 16 for attempted culpable homicide, 64 for rape, 20 for kidnapping, 11 for unnatural offences, 10 for currency forgery, one for narcotics-related offences, 10 for unlawful possession of firearms and 72 for obtaining money by false pretence.
Out of the 294 suspects, 272 were charged to court, 28 were convicted, 256 are awaiting trial, while 22 remain under investigation.
The Commissioner further revealed that the Command recovered four AK-47 rifles, two locally fabricated Beretta guns, one locally made pistol, one Dane gun, six rounds of live ammunition, several offensive weapons, eight motor vehicles, ten motorcycles and numerous mobile phones and other stolen items.
He added that 29 kidnapped victims were rescued from various criminal hideouts, particularly during operations conducted in Dajin Mada Forest and other locations across Alkaleri, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa and Ningi Local Government Areas.
According to him, joint security operations also led to the neutralisation of several suspected bandits during clearance missions targeting criminal enclaves.
CP Aliyu identified banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery, youth gang violence popularly known as "Sara-Suka," and attacks on farming communities as some of the major security threats confronting the state.
He explained that many of these crimes are linked to criminal elements operating within the Dajin Mada, Burra and Ningi forest corridors, affecting several communities across vulnerable local government areas.
To strengthen security operations, the Commissioner requested 30 patrol vehicles, six Armoured Personnel Carriers, 100 motorcycles for forest operations, advanced communication equipment, surveillance drones, night-vision devices, GPS tracking systems, additional ammunition, ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests and riot control equipment among others equipment.
He also advocated for the establishment of four Forward Operating Bases in Ningi, Burra, Alkaleri and Darazo, as well as an additional Police Mobile Force Squadron in Bauchi State to improve rapid response capabilities.
While acknowledging the progress recorded so far, the Commissioner stressed that addressing the state's security challenges requires sustained investment in personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property, strengthening community partnerships and maintaining peace and stability across Bauchi State.
Several stakeholders who spoke during the meeting commended the efforts of security personnel, particularly the Bauchi State Police Command, in tackling banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
They called for increased government support and provision of modern equipment to enable security agencies to consolidate the gains already recorded in the fight against crime across the state.
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