The Kogi State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it has arrested 239 suspected criminals operating in the state for various offences.
Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller Dantawaye stated this at the Command headquarters in Lokoja.
CP Dantawaye clarified that out of this number, 66 were armed robbery suspects, 75 suspected kidnappers, while 18 persons were arrested for alleged homicide.
Also, the CP said 21 suspects were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, 21 for rape allegation, 6 arrested for cultism while 49 suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in various heinous crimes across the state.
Dantawaye also disclosed that police operatives also recovered exhibits including five AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 Rifle, nine magazines, 344 rounds of 7.62/39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 2 rounds of 7.62/59mm ammunition.
Other weapons recovered include one locally made revolver barrel gun, one black pump action magazine, nine expended AK ammunition, seven expended cartridges, two pump action guns and two locally made Pistols.
The Police Commissioner further said to ensure that fight against kidnapping, armed banditry and other violent crimes in the state do not succeed, the Command has commenced training of personnel to enhance their mental and operational capacity for better and efficient service delivery.
“Participants of Course 7 in the ongoing Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise graduated last week Friday. We have also adopted Comprehensive crime prevention and control strategies in recent time through intensive patrol along the major highways,” the CP said.
He added that identified criminal hideouts; black spots and flash points were not spared of raids while operatives also conduct aggressive ‘Stop and Search’ operations as well as deployment of well-trained, equipped, and motivated officers geared towards ridding the State of all forms of crimes and criminality.
“The Command continues to adopt common problem-solving strategies embedded in the IGP’s community policing templates, which will help to improve public confidence in our service delivery.
“The Command has provided an avenue for effective collaboration with other critical stakeholders by giving them access to share information and intelligence that will assist in crime control and management,” he added.
The police commissioner called on the people of the state, particularly traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, youth groups, market bodies, farmers, herders, vigilantes, hunters, union, among others to give their maximum support in the fight against criminality in Kogi State.
“I appeal for their cooperation and understanding in the interest of public safety,” he said.
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