Police arrested 10,852 suspects nationwide in 4 months – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police,  IGP Olukayode Egbetokun,  Tuesday, disclosed that the Force arrested 10,852 suspects across the country between July and October this year.

The arrests, Egbetokun, said were carried out through tactical operations, intelligence-led policing, and community engagement strategies.

The IGP revealed this at the quarterly conference with strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force.

Egbetokun said the aim is to review performance and significant national events since their last meeting in July and to also pinpoint upcoming challenges and craft empirically-based solutions, particularly focusing on the Ondo state off-circle elections and various local government elections across the country.

IGP noted that recent statistics indicate a substantial decrease in crime rates in key areas, including significant strides in combating violent crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cybercrime.

He said the Nigeria Police Force successfully rescued 369 kidnapped victims, recovered 416 firearms of various makes, retrieved 178 vehicles, and seized 3,672 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.

Giving successful operational updates from State Commands, IGP Egbetokun said on 1 October 2024, the anti-kidnapping unit of the FCT Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended four notorious kidnappers who had been terrorising the FCT.

He said: “On 2 September 2024, police operatives attached to the Ebumege Division, acting on credible intelligence, trailed a suspicious vehicle to DSE Runabout in Waring.

“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.

“Similarly, on 2 September 2024, following credible intelligence about suspicious bandit activities in Kaduna, police operatives set an ambush at a local motorpark. A search during the operation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden within a consignment. The next morning, six suspects were arrested in connection with the delivery. Those apprehended were Lawal Muritala, Isa Kabiru, Awa Surajo, Kamala Lawal, Umar Adamu, and Kabiru Lima.

“Items recovered from the suspects include four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action guns, 24 cartridges, 29 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, a large assortment of charms, one walkie-talkie, one axe, one cash totalling N908,600 Naira.”

The IGP affirmed that officers have demonstrated unwavering dedication and exceptional courage, focus, and professionalism in their duties.