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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, Monday, said the Nigerian police force arrested a total of 578 armed robbery suspects, 375, kidnappers 431, rapist and rescued 134, kidnaped victims in various operations conducted across the country in the last ten weeks.
Egbetokun, also said that the police arrested 724, suspects for murder/homicide, 433, suspected cultists and recovered 4,235 different calibers of ammunitions types.
The IGP, who made this known when he met with senior police officers in Abuja, said within the last ten weeks, the police have recorded significant successes in reducing crime rates across the country.
While commending police personnel for their resilience, dedication and determination in fighting crime and ensuring peace and stability in country, the IGP said the meeting was held to address the security challenges bedeviling the country and review the police’s anti-crime strategies for efficiency and effectiveness towards achieving peace and order.
The IGP, who used the occasion to highlight some of achievements of the police in the last ten weeks, said “Within this period, our men were able to rescue a total number of one hundred and thirty – four (134) kidnap victims, arrest three hundred and seventy-five (375) suspected kidnappers as well as five hundred and seventy-eight (578) armed robbery suspects in various operations across the country. A total of four hundred and thirty-one (431) suspects were arrested for rape and other sexual related offences, seven hundred and twenty- four (724) suspects arrested for murder/homicide cases while two thousand, three hundred and forty-three (2,343) were apprehended for other criminal offences out of which four hundred and thirty – three (433) were suspected cultists. The Force was also able to recover four hundred and nineteen (419) firearms of various types and a total of four thousand, two hundred and thirty – five (4,235) different calibers of ammunition.
He said “Aside these figures, the Force recorded many breakthroughs in the investigation of some major criminal occurrences within the period.
On the deadly Otukpo bank robbery of on October 29, where the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo Division, many other innocent Nigerians were killed and huge sums of money carted away from three commercial banks, the IGP, said “The unrelenting efforts of our men working with technically generated intelligence paid off as during an encounter with the daredevil robbers, five (5) of them were neutralized while four (4) were arrested and are currently in custody assisting police investigators. A total of nine (9) AK47 rifles and five thousand and thirteen (5,013) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from them.
“Also, on the 14th and 15th December, 2023, during a covert rescue operation carried out in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and Faskari Local Government Area of Kastina State respectively, twenty – three (23) kidnapped victims including kidnapped students of the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, were rescued unhurt while two (2) notorious bandits, fell to the superior firepower of Police operatives after a fierce gun duel. “Furthermore, unrelenting efforts by operatives of the FCT Command on the 4th and 5th December, 2023 led to the rescue of six (6) kidnapped victims in Guzape and Kwaku areas where three (3) notorious kidnappers terrorizing the area were overpowered during the operation.
Continuing, the IGP, said “In other operations, a kidnap and cattle rustling syndicate in Katsina State was busted on 3rd December, 2023 where five suspected bandits were arrested in their criminal hideout in Danmarki Village, Kafur LGA of Katsina State and one kidnapped victim in their custody was released unhurt while two hundred and three (203) rustled cattle were recovered from the criminal elements.
“Furthermore, three (3) suspects who are members of a gun running and armed robbery syndicate terrorizing the Abuja, Katsina and Nasarawa axis supplying arms to bandits and other criminal elements were arrested. One (1) AK49 rifle, five (5) magazines, one thousand (1,000) rounds of various calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
He further started that “On 11th December 2023, Police operatives successfully rescued in Kwarra village, Kadarko, Nasarawa, eight (8) Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA) students who were kidnapped on 7th December 2023 in the State. The students were safely reunited with their families.
“In Anambra State, Police operatives intercepted a consignment of illicit arms intended for distribution to IPOB/ESN camps in various location within the South East Geopolitical Zone arrested a gunrunner at Abuja Park, Onitsha, in possession of twenty-two (22) semi-automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges. Furthermore, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police raided an IPOB/ESN camp in Aboh Mbaise, during which one Ishaku Prince Jerry, a notorious suspect who have led several attacks on Police facilities within the state was neutralized while seventeen (17) firearms, two hundred and sixty (260) rounds of live ammunition and three (3) Toyota Venza cars were recovered from the IPOB hideout.
The IGP, said “As we celebrate these achievements, let us also recognize that our work is far from over. The yuletide season presents new challenges and responsibilities and it is our duty to ensure that citizens celebrate in an atmosphere of peace and security. This period traditionally comes with upsurge in activities in terms of social and religious gatherings as well as movements across the federation. It is thus imperative that we continue to proactively address potential security challenges. We should increase the intensity of our anti-crime patrols and emplace other crime fighting strategies some of which will be discussed here today to safeguard the different communities where we serve. We should also deploy resources adequately and ensure strict supervision of our men in discharging their duties in a manner devoid of unprofessional conducts.
He said @Intelligence-led policing will remain a cornerstone of our efforts and I urge you all to boost your intelligence capacity and leverage on cutting-edge technology to dismantle criminal elements terrorizing our communities. Emphasis should also be on synergy with other security agencies and collaboration with your respective host communities.
