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….says Kidnapping soars as police record 214 cases in 8 weeks
From Molly Kilete Abuja
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, Thursday assured that the police would soon rearrest Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the executives of Binance who escaped from detention. Recall that Anjarwalla, who was arrested and detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offenses, escaped from custody mysteriously on March 22.
He was said to have escaped from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.
Egbetokun, who made this known while responding to journalists questions at the meeting with senior police commanders in Abuja, said the police working with INTERPOL will affect the arrest of the escapee in the shortest possible time.
The IGP said, I am not going to tell you what Interpol is doing, but I must tell you that we are doing a lot. I can assure you the suspect would be rearrested.”
The IGP, who used the occasion to speak on police achievements in the last eight weeks, said 214 cases of kidnapping and 537 homicide cases were recorded by the police.
According to him, 3,685 suspects were apprehended for their participation in various crimes, while 401 kidnapped victims were rescued.
He said “On the flip-side, we will continue to strive for excellence by being more proactive in our policing approach. Our responses to the current internal security threats require strategic deployments that are not only proactive but also technology and intelligence-driven.
“Through meticulous analysis of available information, we shall endeavour to pre-empt criminal activities, disrupt their illicit networks, and apprehend perpetrators swiftly. It is essential that we remain vigilant and adaptive in our approach, continuously refining our strategies to stay ahead of evolving threats.
“I am pleased to report a substantial advancement, propelled by the execution of diverse strategies aimed at mitigating the escalating trend of criminal activities across the nation after our last conference held on February 8, 2024.
The IGP, said that “In the past eight weeks, we recorded 141 cases of terrorism/secessionist attacks, 537 cases of murder, 126 cases of armed robbery, 214 cases of kidnapping, and 39 cases of unlawful possession of firearms.
“Also, during the period under review, the Nigeria Police Force arrested 3,685 suspects for their participation in various crimes, 401 kidnapped victims were rescued, 216 various firearms, 3,601 ammunition and 82 vehicles were recovered.
While assuring that the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership was poised to ensure that the welfare of personnel is prioritized, the IGP, said that the high command, has successfully, through unrelenting efforts, secured the release of insurance claims of deceased police officers which has accumulated for about eight years.
“We have in the last nine months cumulatively presented cheques totalling Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Ninety – One Thousand, Fifty-One Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo {N7,263,391,051.73K} to Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Fourteen {2,514} families of deceased police officers.
“Apart from actualizing a consistent bi-monthly release of insurance benefits to the families of our departed colleagues who had died in the course of their service to the nation, (including payment of some backlogs of insurance claims), the Force has recently concluded the registration process of the NPF Insurance Company Limited with the Corporate Affairs Commission and we are steadily progressing towards the operationalization of the Company.
“The new Company will aid the processing of our insurance funds directly from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Furthermore, we are unrelenting in finding a solution to the agitation of Police retirees arising from their poor pension earnings and the quest for enhanced pension culminating in protests and demand for exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
“This situation as we are well aware has in the past few years not only been a source of apprehension for serving officers, it has equally consistently put the Force uncomfortably in media space.
“The Force leadership is carefully working on a scheme that will put an end to the agitations and put smiles on the lips of every policeman, either serving or retired.”
