Police Arrest 1,774 Criminal Suspects In 2 Months

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 1,774 criminal suspects between the months of April and May, 2025.

The Police also rescued 476 kidnapped victims, some from extremely difficult terrains, within the period under review.

These details were given by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, at the strategic meeting with commissioners of police and others in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, the IGP said, “From April to May 2025, we have recorded the following successes: the arrest of 1,774 criminal suspects for various offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and murder; recovered 274 assorted firearms and 2,583 rounds of ammunition. We have also recovered 187 stolen or unregistered vehicles and rescued 476 kidnapped victims, some from extremely difficult terrains.”

While giving some details of the arrests, the IGP said, “In Kaduna State, a coordinated special operation led to the dismantling of a major kidnapping syndicate operating in remote communities in Kaduna State. Over 30 suspects were apprehended, and several abducted victims rescued unharmed.

“In Anambra and Imo States, targeted intelligence-led raids on insurgent cells resulted in the arrest of high-value suspects linked to recent attacks on police formations and other security posts. Recoveries included arms, IED-making materials, and stolen security assets.

“In Lagos and Ogun States, the Anti-Cultism Units, working in synergy with local tactical teams, disrupted several cult initiation ceremonies, arrested over 100 cultists, and recovered dangerous weapons.This has significantly reduced inter-gang clashes in key urban hotspots.

“A successful extradition of a Nigerian fugitive, Abubakar Aboki Muhammed, involved in a $307,500.00 fraud, by the INTERPOL NCB,from the United Arab Emirates on Friday, 23rd May 2025.

“On May 5, 2025, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force successfully rescued 25 kidnapped Ivorian Nationals and arrested eight members of a transnational kidnapping syndicate.”