By Donald Arji
OPERATIVES of the Inspector-General of Police’s special task force on heinous crimes recorded a major breakthrough recently when they raided some notorious and dangerous criminal hide-outs in Kaduna State.

The raid which was carried out between August 22 and 28, 2012, recorded fruitful results as the operatives recovered no fewer than 19 stolen vehicles from the hide-outs.

Police sources said the Special Task force, working on a tip-off, in reaction to the upsurge in incidents of car theft in some parts of the country, proceeded to Kaduna State on August 22, where it smashed and arrested a three-man gang that specializes in car theft.

It was gathered that the task force met stiff opposition from members of the gang as they engaged them in a fierce battle. Crime Alert learnt that they were able to subdue the gangsters with their superior weapons after some hours of gun duel.

After they were rounded up, the gang reportedly made disclosures that led to the recovery of 19 stolen vehicles of various makes and brands. Information of this recovery, according to police sources,  has since been disseminated to all the 37 State Police Commands for circulation to the public, to enable persons whose vehicles were stolen to come forth for necessary identification and possible collection. The vehicles recovered are shown in the table below.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who confirmed the development said the task force is still combing parts of the state to ensure that all members of the gang were fished out and prosecuted. He reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police towards getting rid of criminals in all nooks and crannies of the country.

Mba said: “the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has observed with satisfaction the high sense of patriotism and professionalism with which the members of the IGP’s Special Task force on Heinous Crimes have carried out their duties so far.

“The task force was created in the wake of the emergence of heinous crimes in some parts of the country, as part of renewed efforts by the Nigeria Police to check-mate, through proactive measures predicated on intelligence policing, the activities of the sponsors and perpetrators of these crimes.

He stated that the new outfit relies to a great extent, on vital information made available to the police by the public and attributed the recent break-through to the growing trust and cooperation between the Force and the public.

“The IGP commended officers and men of the task force for their exemplary courage and gallantry, even in the face of very difficult working environment.

He expressed his readiness to ensure a well motivated Police Force. He challenged personnel of the Force to see the successes recorded by the Task force and other numerous Police breakthrough in recent time as a stepping stone to greater achievements.

“The IGP assured Nigerians that the Police will remain dynamic and creative in formulating new strategies for fighting crimes and criminality and urged Nigerians to continue to support the Force.”

1    TOYOTA CAMRY     GOLD    4TIBG22K71U09711
2    GOLF WAGON    NAVY BLUE    WUWZZZ1HZSW1053
3    VECTRA OPEL (1.81)    MAROON    WOLOOOO8S5273647
4    HONDA ACCORD
(BABY BOY)    ASH    IHGC6546XA802693
5    NISSAN PRIMERA    RED    JNIBAAN15U0510309
6    HONDA ACCORD (EOD)    GOLD    JHMCM45503C201055
7    HONDA CIVIC    BLACK    JHMEG3200S212494
8    HONDA CRV    BLACK    JHLRD1858VC807859
9    HONDA CIVIC    DARK GREEN    2HGEJ6670VH555237
10    HONDA CIVIC    BLACK    JHME044500S026250
11    HONDA ACCORD
(BABY BOY)    GREEN    IHGCG565XXA0444991
12    TOYOTA CAMRY    GOLDEN    4TIBG22K2WU1898927
13    HONDA ACADEMY    GREEN    IHCD66XTA141698
14    HONDA ACCORD    GOLDEN    IHGCG564XYA149622
15    HONDA CRV    ASH    JHLRE48527C043010
16    TOYOTA CAMRY LE    DARK ASH    4TIB322K33U776092
17    NISSAN PATHFINDER    DARK ASH    5N1AR18W55C749614
18    TOYOTA CORROLA    ASH    INXBU4EE4AZ359074
19    HONDA CRN    RED    JHLLRD1853VCO12900