The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has revealed that over the past ten weeks, the Nigerian Police Force achieved significant milestones in crime reduction nationwide.
News About Nigeria gathered that during a strategic meeting with high-ranking police officials on Monday, he said that a total of 134 kidnapping victims were rescued, 375 suspected kidnappers arrested, and 578 armed robbery suspects apprehended.
He added that the police also made arrests related to rape, murder, cultism, and other criminal offences.
Egbetokun noted that the Force successfully recovered 419 firearms of various types and over 4,000 different calibres of ammunition, adding that breakthroughs were made in investigations, including the resolution of the deadly Otukpo bank robbery, where five robbers were neutralised and four arrested.
Speaking further, the police boss revealed that operatives from the FCT Police Command rescued six hostages in the Guzape and Kwaku areas, overpowering and arresting three kidnappers after a fierce shootout.
During the meeting, Egbetokun disclosed another crucial operation where police operatives intercepted a consignment of illicit arms in Anambra State.
The arms were intended for distribution to camps associated with IPOB/ESN across the Southeast Geopolitical Zone.
The interception led to the arrest of a gunrunner at Abuja Park, Onitsha, in possession of twenty-two semi-automatic pump-action guns and 625 live cartridges.
Highlighting recent covert rescue missions, the IGP mentioned operations in Emohua, Rivers State, and Faskari, Katsina State, resulting in the rescue of 23 kidnapped victims, including students from the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State.
Two notorious bandits were neutralised in the process.
Egbetokun said that it is important to maintain vigilance during the festive season, calling for increased anti-crime patrols, intelligence-led policing, and collaboration with other security agencies.
The IGP urged Nigerians to stay law-abiding, embrace peaceful coexistence, and provide information to the police, assuring the commitment of the police administration to discipline, professionalism, and service excellence.
