Nearly 6,000 Suspects Arrested as Police Release Fresh Crime Statistics
The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested 5,936 suspects for various offences across the country in an intensified campaign against gunrunning, kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the nationwide operation also led to the recovery of 360 firearms and 5,952 rounds of live ammunition from different criminal hideouts.
According to the breakdown provided by the police, those in custody include 715 armed robbery suspects, 306 kidnappers, 533 individuals linked to murder and homicide, 149 for unlawful possession of firearms, 371 for sexually related offences, 590 suspected cultists, and 3,272 others arrested for various crimes.
Adejobi noted that the figures demonstrate the “continuity of intensified efforts” by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to strengthen internal security and reduce the proliferation of illegal weapons.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the Force highlighted specific cases, such as the arrest of Jane Anodua, accused of child trafficking in Plateau State.
Police said her arrest followed a report by the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, which led to the rescue of two 10-year-old girls. Two more children were later traced to Imo State and reunited with their families.
In a separate operation, officers arrested Jerauji Ibrahim of Adamawa State on July 27. He allegedly confessed to possessing two AK-47 rifles, which were recovered with magazines and 19 rounds of ammunition.
Other raids led to the seizure of four AK-47 rifles, one G-3 rifle, one SMG rifle, a revolver, a locally fabricated pistol, and a pump-action rifle.
The police spokesperson emphasized that the arrests and seizures were evidence of the Force’s renewed commitment to combating organized crime.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun remains firmly committed to its mandate of safeguarding lives and property, ensuring that Nigerians can go about their daily activities in peace,” Adejobi said.
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