Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Friday launched an operation against kidnappers and other hoodlums who have terrorized Abuja-Kaduna Expressway for months. Under the operation titled ‘Operation Maximum Safety’, the IGP is deploying 510 anti-riot policemen to be backed with 40 patrol vehicles and armoured carriers, which will be deployed in dark spots and vulnerable points along the road to checkmate notorious gangs of kidnappers and other violent crimes. Speaking at the flag off, the IG tasked the policemen to curb all forms of crime and criminality around the area and provide security for travellers and residents of surrounding communities. Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operation, Habila Joshak, stated that criminals would not be allowed to take over any part of the country. He said that the government was worried about insecurity along the highway, hence the decision to deploy the security personnel to ensure security of lives and property. The IG called on the community leaders, residents and youths to support the police with information, adding that the operatives wee specially selected from different Mobile Police Force units for the special operation. He said assured the policemen that their welfare would be taken care of, adding that Kaduna State government had offered to pay their allowances and to fuel their patrol vehicles. His words, “We would regularly review the template for providing security from time to time, we smoke out the criminals, we are not going to spare or think twice about anyone who raises his gun to fire at innocent citizens, we would not allow that hand to come down. “I say this with all sense of purpose, but we cannot achieve this without the support of the community leaders, the people and the youth.” The AIG in charge of zone 7, Abuja, Alkali Usman, admonished the police officers to carry out their duties with all their heart and mind.