The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has said intelligence-led policing and tactical operations by the officer and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) led to the arrest of 10,852 suspects across the country between July and October, 2024.
The Police boss made this known during the conference with senior police officers, from Commissioners of Police and above, and strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
He said the NPF has successfully rescued 369 kidnapped victims, recovered 416 firearms of various makes, retrieved 178 vehicles, and seized 3,672 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
According to Egbetokun, “On October 1, 2024, the anti-kidnapping unit of the FCT Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended four notorious kidnappers who had been terrorising the FCT. The individuals arrested were Yawu Sonu, a.k.a. Baba, an ex-convict, Nubu, a.k.a. Giwa, Kaperu Muhammad, and Yusuf Hassan.
“They were captured at their criminal hideouts in Sauka, Abuja, and items recovered from them during this operation include 4 AK-47 rifles, 13 AK-47 magazines, and 162 rounds of 7.62mm light ammunition.
“The suspects confessed during interrogation to multiple kidnappings within the FCT and surrounding states.”
The suspects, the police boss, said were currently assisting with investigations and will be prosecuted by the law.
Similarly, “On September 2, 2024, police operatives attached to the Ebumege Division, acting on credible intelligence, trailed a suspicious vehicle to DSE Runabout in Warri.
“Upon noticing the police presence, the occupants opened fire and subsequently fled into the crowd, abandoning their vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 4 AK-47 rifles. Renforce Force are currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the police boss further stated.
In the same vein, “In Niger state on August 4, 2024, members of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit from the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna, Niger state, intercepted a Toyota Corolla carrying three male occupants. Upon the arrival of the police, the individuals immediately fled, abandoning their vehicle.
“A search revealed 15 automatic pump-action rifles and 30 cartridges hidden within a sack in the vehicle. Intensive efforts are being made to identify and locate the owner of the vehicle.”
Speaking on the recent crisis in Rivers state, the police boss maintained that the Police did not do anything wrong as they were preparing for the Local Government elections and we were waiting when a Federal High Court barred the Police from participating in the election and a counter order came from the High court that Police should participate in the election.
“We have to pass the two orders to our legal department which advised that the police should stay off as ordered by the Federal High Court, with we have to withdraw from further participation.
“Then the Commissioner of Police in State informed me that the State governor has deployed Police personnel from the Government House to the Secretariat of the State Electoral Commission with the aim of going ahead with the Local Government polls and then we have gotten intelligence report about plans cause crisis and then we have to deploy personnel from the command to take charge of the place.
“Then, the elections took place and those elected were sworn in and the Police have to unseal the Local Government Secretariats to allow the new elected officials to assume duties.
“If we are to remain there after the elected officials were sworn in, the Police would have been accused of taking sides, we vacated the Secretariats and then crisis erupted, we have to return back to restore peace on the orders of the Mr President to restore peace in the state.
On the forthcoming off-season governorship election in Ondo state he said the police were adequately preparing for the election and urged stakeholders not to entertain any fear.
“As we prepare for the upcoming Ondo state off-cycle gubernatorial election, I urge all involved to replicate and build upon the successes recorded in the Edo state election.
“We must ensure a robust security architecture and that officers perform their duties with impartiality and the highest professionalism. Our mission is to provide a secure environment where voters can freely exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
“We will continue to collaborate with other security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and stakeholders to ensure that the Ondo state election is conducted freely, fairly, and credibly, empowering all voters to exercise their rights without any fear of intimidation.”