The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4, AIG Dankombo F. Morris, has directed a coordinated and strategic crackdown on banditry and other violent crimes across Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states.

The directive aligns with operational instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, focusing on proactively tackling security threats, particularly banditry and other violent criminal activities within the zone.

This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 4, ASP Ayo Martins.

He said that through a refined operational methodology driven by intelligence-led policing and comprehensive situational awareness, the zone has identified and mapped criminal enclaves, transit corridors and logistical supply networks used by suspected criminals.

Martins said the AIG has directed Commissioners of Police in the respective states within the zone to deploy specialised tactical units to establish dominance in these areas, dismantle criminal organisations and maintain a visible and sustained policing presence across identified high-risk locations in the three states.

He added that the AIG emphasised the need for intelligence-driven policing to improve information gathering and analysis, thereby enabling real-time support for targeted interventions.

Martins said AIG Dankombo has also directed that both overt and covert surveillance operations be intensified in vulnerable areas, supplemented by stop-and-search operations implemented strictly on the basis of credible intelligence.

The AIG further directed Commissioners of Police to strengthen inter-agency collaboration through joint operations with other sister security agencies in their states, noting that such a unified approach would improve operational synergy, enhance intelligence sharing and ensure a prompt and effective response to security challenges across the zone.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police assured residents of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states of his unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

AIG Dankombo also urged citizens to remain security conscious and to support ongoing initiatives by providing timely and relevant information to security agencies.