Kidnapping a new crime in Nigeria; police now hearing of banditry: IGP Usman Baba

The Inspector General of Police Usman Baba says kidnapping is a new crime in Nigeria though the abduction of citizens and foreigners for ransom has been happening in the country for many years.
Mr Baba also suggested that the police had just begun to hear of bandits.
“There is a new crime which is called kidnapping. We know of armed robbery, and now we (have) started hearing of armed banditry. So, we must work with modernity,” added the police boss.
Mr Baba disclosed that six helicopters had been deployed to tackle the kidnappers and bandits.
“We have made our air wings very effective. We are proud of putting six helicopters in the air at one time,” Mr Baba said on Wednesday while addressing officers and men of Akwa Ibom command in Uyo.
He added, “Our marine segment has been reactivated. Our Technical Intelligence Unit is working. We have acquired drones. We have digitalised our crime section. We have involved a lot of technology in our work.”
The IGP charged officers and men to redouble their efforts in crime prevention, stressing that the changing nature of criminality had brought about the introduction of technology in fighting crimes.
“Crime and criminality is a dynamic thing; it is not something that is static. It moves with time. It moves with modernisation. It moves with technology,” the police boss explained. “Nobody has ever told us that human beings can be stolen. Now we see human beings being stolen and taken away, and they’re asking you to bring money.”
He explained that the police had begun training 10,000 recruits.
“Since we came, we have gotten a lot. We have just been given 200 brand new pick-up vehicles that are very strong by the Police Trust Fund,” he added.
The IGP urged police officers to constantly educate themselves by reading and listening to the news on television to acquaint themselves with the latest happenings in society.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Bayelsa deputy governor urges women to champion social change
He said women played critical roles in nation-building.

States
NOA, NOSDRA partner on environmental safety in Kwara
Mr Williams commended NOA for seeking closer collaboration in environmental management.

States
WHO commends Ebonyi as FGM drops to 20.4%
Mr Ogbueli described the decline as a major milestone in efforts to end FGM.

Economy
FG empowers nearly 300,000 Nigerians through skills programmes: Minister
Mrs Oduwole saidthat the ministry was implementing policies to strengthen manufacturing and agro-processing, among others.

States
Osun 2026: APC candidate promises violence-free election, warns against intimidation
Mr Oyebamiji expressed optimism about winning the election.

NationWide
CJN seeks strong legal protection for maritime sector
Mrs Kekere-Ekun described maritime law as one of the principal pillars supporting global commerce.





