The Nigerian police have not been sidelined in the fight against terrorism by the government or the military.
Speaking on Channels TV programme Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the police are working with the military towards ending the menace which has led to widespread chaos across rural communities, especially in the northern part of the country.
He said, “The police have not been sidelined in any way, but people need to understand the complexities of insecurity today. Despite being a major military issue due to the weaponry involved, there are still more than 5,000 Special Forces policemen working with the military in most theatre operations, and they work together.
“By the pronouncement of the federal government, bandits, IPOB, and ESN carry out acts of terrorism, and they have been declared terrorists. So, the police are not expected to be at the forefront in the fight against them, but the military.
“Kidnappers have not been declared terrorists. We’ve arrested more than 3,250 kidnappers since the IGP resumed office. More than 4,000 armed robbery suspects and thousands of rounds of ammunition were recovered from them.
“Things are getting complicated. Before now, when people have disagreements, they talk it out and settle it. People would rather stab or kill one another instead of resolving issues.
“The Police fight kidnapping, armed robbery, car thefts, cultism, and domestic violence. We’ve arrested more than 11,000 cultists. 78,000 cases in court. And about 57 active cases under prosecution. And we have recorded several prosecutions.”
