Police Arrest 1,643 Suspects, Rescue 1,066 Kidnap Victims Since February – IGP

The inspector-general of police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, says the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) arrested 1,643 suspects for terrorism, banditry, murder, armed robbery and cultism, as well as rescued 1,066 kidnapped victims since he assumed office in February 2026.

Disu made the disclosure yesterday in Owerri, Imo State, at the opening of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026).

According to the IGP, the arrests included 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists.

He added that police operations during the period also led to the recovery of 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition.

The IGP further said the Force’s operational efforts had also resulted in the rescue of 1,066 kidnapped victims nationwide.

Disu, however, cautioned against viewing the figures as a measure of success without considering the human cost of insecurity, noting that arrests and recoveries could not compensate families that had lost their loved ones to violence.

He said the police would sustain operations against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other crimes despite preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He said, “Kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence still cost Nigerians their lives and their peace of mind, and numbers do not console a grieving family.

“We will not slow down on these threats because an election is coming. We will fight them and secure the elections at the same time.”

The IGP said the figures reflected the efforts of police personnel deployed across the country, while urging senior officers to sustain intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies.

He said the Force would continue to deploy intelligence, joint operations and early-warning mechanisms to identify and disrupt criminal networks before they could cause further harm.

Disu also charged police commanders to ensure that arrests were followed by proper investigation and prosecution, rather than being treated merely as publicity.