Police launch tactical operation, parade suspected serial killer

In furtherance of the directive by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, to all zones and formations to contain the rampant kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent activities in the polity, the Edo command of the force yesterday launched ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Dan-Mallam Mohammed, in his address at the ceremony in Benin City, confirmed that the exercise followed the IGP’s directive to zones and state commands to eradicate criminal activities nationwide.

The CP urged officials, including area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical team commanders to be very professional in their conduct.

He said: “The contemporary security challenges such as insurgency and terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, proliferation of small and light weapons, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes and cattle rustling.

“Illicit trade in drugs, human trafficking, armed banditry, cybercrime and illegal cash flow are evil of our time. The fight against these mentioned heinous crimes is a great challenge to our generation.”

The police boss also paraded a 37-year-old suspected serial killer and cultist, Frank Ukwebor.

The indigene of Irrua in Esan Central Local Council of the state was originally apprehended by a vigilance group and is believed to have killed 38 persons.

The police said two guns were found on him at the point of his arrest, while another three were recovered during a search of his home.