The new Anti-kidnapping Squad inaugurated in Oyo State has rescued three kidnapped persons within the same week the victims were abducted.
The Oyo State police boss, Mohammed Katsina, described the development as a new culture of service and responsibility in the Oyo State police command.
To complement the activities of the squad, a well equipped Trauma Centre for victims’ rehab after rescue was also inaugurated.
Mr Katsina explained that the department became necessary to stem the rising kidnapping cases in the state and beyond with the use of expert intelligence operatives, marksmen, and counter terrorism agents within the command .
The kidnapped persons – a 12 year old, kidnapped in Lagos, a middle aged woman and her child who were Kidnapped at Odo Ona area in Ibadan – were rescued barely hours after the office was inaugurated.
They have received treatment and counseling from the police Medical and Trauma centre and re united with their families.
The Commissioner of Police pointed out that the sensitive and complex operational procedure of kidnapping required a well trained tactical team whose operation must be mostly intelligence based.
According to him, the development necessitated the well equipped office to gather, intercept, interpret and analyse intelligence reports.
The coordinator of the project and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Usman Dimka, told Channels Television that the fund for the office was provided by only ten people while another community donated a brand new van to boost crime fighting within the state.
These actions are clear indications that the people of the state are coming round to trust and support the police again with their personal resources.
