Kidnap Kingpin, 36 Gang-Members Surrender To Police In Nasarawa
A kidnap kingpin, Buju Bazamfare, alongside thirty-six of his armed gang-members, who have been terrorizing travellers and residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa and Kogi States on Wednesday (January 22, 2020) surrendered to the Police in Lafia, Nasarawa State Capital.
He was alleged to have terrorized Toto and Nasarawa Local Government Areas of the state and neighbouring Abaji and Kuje in Abuja as well as Lokoja and Bassa in Kogi State respectively.
Recall Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule recently (precisely Thursday January 17, 2020) disclosed that the notorious kidnapper operating in the state, Buju Bazamfare, had accepted to surrender, alongside his arms.
Engineer Sule made this known while on a thank-you visit on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in Abuja.
The Governor who commended police institutions in the state, especially the state Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe and his team, for ensuring that peace and harmony are maintained in the state, confided in the IGP that he recently came face to face with the kidnapper, among others, who are willing to surrender along with their weapons.
“I was told that during the conference, they are willing to come face to face with you and also surrender their weapons as well as surrender themselves, “ the Governor told the IGP.
While describing the feat as a huge progress towards reducing crime and criminalities in the state, Engineer Sule thanked the IGP for all the support he continue to give the state.
It was therefore great relief when Buju Bazamfare and 36 members of the kidnap gang surrendered themselves to the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu and governors of the North Central region.
Reports have it that the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa, was instrumental to the laying down of arms of Bazamfare and his gang-members.
Buju Bazamfare was alleged to have terrorized Toto and Nasarawa Local Governments of the state and neighbouring Abaji and Kuje in the Abuja and Lokoja and Bassa in Kogi state respectively.
Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa was instrumental to the surrender of Buju Bazamfare to the authorities.
Many people from the affected local government areas in Nasarawa state said kidnappings and armed banditry have reduced after Bazamfare met with the Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule and relevant stakeholders at the palace of Emir of Keffi recently.
However, the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Muhammed Adamu has re-emphasized that community policing is the best option to adopt towards achieving a lasting security in the country.
He said this today in Lafia at the North Central security summit themed: “Strategic Partnership for Effective Community Policing in the North Central Zone/FCT.” According to him, “Almost in all the cases, experience of anarchy, lawlessness, agitations, terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, among others occur at the community levels.”
In his speech at the event, Governor Abdullahi Sule said, “When President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in, he has no doubt significantly degraded the activities of Boko Haram and sundry insurgents onslaught.”
Reading the communiqué on behalf of the governors after the meeting, Governor Sule said: “the following strategic decisions were made after a comprehensive and exhaustive deliberation.
“The state governors have accepted and adopted community policing strategy as an effective tool in bringing policing to the grassroots, traditional rulers and community leaders should assist the police in the selection process of community policing officers to be recruited within the community.
“Each state within the zone to increase investment in social interventions programmes aimed at providing legitimate and alternative means of livelihood for the teeming youths especially the repentant criminals as well.
“The state government to provide all necessary logistics to enable the return of IDPs to their various ancestral homes; the ministry of information of the various states in conjunction with traditional rulers and community leaders to liaise with Police Public Relations Officers in creating public awareness and sensitizing programmes for the need for active engagement and participation in community policing initiative in their various areas.
“The IG of Police to consider establishing additional squadron of mobile police/CTU bases in trouble spots to complement distinct security architecture and bull safety security in selected states within the zone.
“The North Central governors are enjoined to partner with Nigeria Police Force especially in the area of provision of lands, office accommodation, vehicles and other essentials.”
