Police Arrest 953 Suspected Kidnappers, Armed Robbers In 10 Weeks

Despite the increasing cases of kidnapping across the country, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested 375 suspects and rescued 134 kidnap victims in the last 10 weeks.

The IGP stated this at his last conference with strategic police managers for the year 2023 on Monday in Abuja.

Speaking at the conference,
the IGP said: “the efforts of Police operatives have led to significant achievements in ten weeks including the rescue of 134 kidnap victims, arrest of 375 suspected kidnappers, 578 armed robbery suspects, 431 suspects for rape and other sexual related offences, 724 murder/homicide suspects, 2,343 suspects for other criminal offences, as well as the recovery of 419 firearms and 4,235 ammunition of various calibre.

“Notable amongst the cases busted within the period under review include the arrest of the daredevil robbers responsible for the deadly Otukpo bank robbery of 20th October, 2023, during which the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo Division and many other innocent Nigerians lost their lives and huge sums of money were carted away from three commercial banks; the rescue of eight students of the Federal University Lafia who were kidnapped on 7th December, 2023 in Nasarawa State; and the interception of a consignment of illicit arms intended for distribution to IPOB/ESN Camps, the arrest of the gunrunner and recovery of 22 semi-automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges.”

Meanwhile, the IGP earlier joined representatives from the United States Government’s INL at the IGP’s Conference Hall in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “the MoU focuses on the operationalization of the Special Intervention Squad, a joint initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Police Force in addressing emerging security challenges.”

The IGP, while expressing gratitude for the collaboration with the US government, emphasised the importance of international partnerships in addressing transnational crime and ensuring the overall safety and security of the nation.

He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Police Force to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service delivery urging all strategic police managers to commit themselves to the new policing vision anchored on a culture of discipline and professional competence, guided by the rule of law, driven by service and passion for excellence, to the admiration of Nigerian citizens in support for the economic prosperity and socio-political development of our dear nation.