Within the last ten weeks, the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has recorded significant successes in reducing crime rates across the country, by rescuing a total number of one hundred and thirty - four (134) kidnap victims, arrest three hundred and seventy-five (375) suspected kidnappers as well as five hundred and seveny-eight (578) armed robbery suspects in various operations across the country.
IGP Olukayode Egbetokun revealed this during a crucial meeting with Police strategic managers, that is the Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police (CPs), and other top commanders in the Force at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, which is the IGP Conference for the year 2023 organised to address many security issues and review Police's anti crime strategies for efficiency and effectiveness towards peace and order in the country.
According to IGP Egbetokun, these operations was successful through a combination of intelligence-led operations, community engagements and proactive policing.
He added that a total of four hundred and thirty-one (431) suspects were arrested for rape and other sexual related offences, seven hundred and twentyfour (724) suspects arrested for murder/homicide cases while two thousand, three hundred and forty-three (2,343) were apprehended for other criminal offences out of which four hundred and thirty – three (433) were suspected cultists.
He said the Force was also able to recover four hundred and nineteen (419) firearms of various types and a total of four thousand, two hundred and thirty – five (4,235) different calibers of ammunition.
IGP Egbetokun stressed that aside these figures, the Force recorded many breakthroughs in the investigation of some major criminal occurrences within the period.
"You will recall the deadly Otukpo bank robbery of 20th October, 2023, during which the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo Division, many other innocent Nigerians lost their lives and huge sums of money carted away from three commercial banks.
"The unrelenting efforts of our men working with technically generated intelligence paid off as during an encounter with the daredevil robbers, five (5) of them were neutralized while four (4) were arrested and are currently in custody assisting police investigators. A total of nine (9) AK47 rifles and five thousand and thirteen (5,013) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from them.
"Also, on the 14th and 15th December, 2023, during a covert rescue operation carried out in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and Faskari Local Government Area of Kastina State respectively, twenty – three (23) kidnapped victims including kidnapped students of the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, were rescued unhurt while two (2) notorious bandits, fell to the superior firepower of Police operatives after a fierce gun duel.
"Furthermore, unrelenting efforts by operatives of the FCT Command on the 4th and 5th December, 2023 led to the rescue of six (6) kidnapped victims in Guzape and Kwaku areas where three (3) notorious kidnappers terrorizing the area were overpowered during the opera notion." he added
IGP Egbetokun also noted in other operations, a kidnap and cattle rustling syndicate in Katsina State was busted on 3rd December, 2023 where five suspected bandits were arrested in their criminal hideout in Danmarki Village, Kafur LGA of Katsina State and one kidnapped victim in their custody was released unhurt while two hundred and three (203) rustled cattle were recovered from the criminal elements.
"Furthermore, three (3) suspects who are members of a gun running and armed robbery syndicate terrorizing the Abuja, Katsina and Nasarawa axis supplying arms to bandits and other criminal elements were arrested. One (1) AK49 rifle, five (5) magazines, one thousand (1,000) rounds of various calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspects. On 11th December 2023, Police operatives successfully rescued in Kwarra village, Kadarko, Nasarawa, eight (8) Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA) students who were kidnapped on 7th December 2023 in the State. The students were safely reunited with their families.
"In Anambra State, Police operatives intercepted a consignment of illicit arms intended for distribution to IPOB/ESN camps in various location within the South East Geopolitical Zone arrested a gunrunner at Abuja Park, Onitsha, in possession of twenty-two (22) semi-automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges.
"Furthermore, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police raided an IPOB/ESN camp in Aboh Mbaise, during which one Ishaku Prince Jerry, a notorious suspect who have led several attacks on Police facilities within the state was neutralized while seventeen (17) firearms, two hundred and sixty (260) rounds of live ammunition and three (3) Toyota Venza cars were recovered from the IPOB hideout." he said
He commended personnel commitment, resilience and doggedness, and efforts in confronting the security challenges in the country with drastic reduction in crime recently witnessed in many parts of the country.
In order to proactively address potential security challenges, the IGP Egbetokun charges them to increase the intensity of Police anti-crime patrols and emplace other crime fighting strategies some of which will be discussed here today to safeguard the different communities where they serve.
"We should also deploy resources adequately and ensure strict supervision of our men in discharging their duties in a manner devoid of unprofessional conducts. Intelligence-led policing will remain a cornerstone of our efforts.
He urged them to boost your intelligence capacity and leverage on cutting-edge technology to dismantle criminal elements terrorizing the communities. Emphasis should also be on synergy with other security agencies and collaboration with your respective host communities.
IGP Egbetokun therefore called on all, Strategic Commanders of the Nigeria Police Force, to rededicate themselves to the culture of excellence, professionalism and discipline in the performance of their duties.
He also called on all Nigerians to remain law-abiding and be security conscious during this festive period. "We should embrace peaceful co-existence and shun all forms of violence. Youths are enjoined to stay away from drugs, fun seekers to be moderate in their dealings and accord respect to one another as well as to all security operatives deployed across the country. Citizens and everyone doing business in Nigeria are enjoined to volunteer information to the Police. Such information given will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
He assured Nigerians of NPF commitment to a new policing vision anchored on discipline and professional competence, guided by the rule of law, driven by service and passion for excellence, to the admiration of Nigerian citizens, in aid of economic prosperity and socio-political development of Nigeria.
The IGP Conference, which is undoubtedly crucial to rounding off the year 2023 was graced by Strategic Police Managers, and security stakeholders.