The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has recounted how the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) supported the Nigeria Police Force in the operation that eventually led to the death of a notorious criminal known as 2Baba in Rivers State.
Disu made the disclosure on Wednesday when he received the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force in tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The IGP recalled that while serving as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, a police officer was killed by 2Baba and his gang, who allegedly dismembered the officer’s body and displayed the remains on social media before retreating into a heavily forested area.
According to Disu, the gang deliberately chose difficult terrain that required security personnel to cross two rivers before reaching their hideout, making operations against them particularly challenging.
He said the police gathered intelligence on the group and shared it with the Nigerian Air Force, which conducted aerial reconnaissance and identified the criminals’ movements.
Disu said the Air Force subsequently launched an operation against the group. Although 2Baba escaped the initial strike, about five members of his gang were killed, throwing the camp into disarray and forcing the remaining criminals to become increasingly wary of aerial attacks.
The IGP said the development created an opportunity for ground forces to launch another assault on the camp, which eventually resulted in 2Baba’s death and the arrest of other members of the gang.
“I will continue to thank the Nigerian Air Force for its support,” Disu said, stressing the importance of continued cooperation between both security agencies.
Earlier, Air Marshal Aneke commended the professional relationship between the Nigerian Air Force and the Police, while acknowledging the support provided by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing.
He called for sustained collaboration in areas including joint operations, intelligence sharing, aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, tactical deployment, medical evacuation, joint training and improved operational coordination.
The two institutions also discussed strategies to strengthen their response to terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other violent crimes, as well as the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Disu said both agencies would continue to explore new ways of working together to improve national security and operational effectiveness.
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