The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 199 suspected criminals and rescued 88 kidnap victims in nationwide operations conducted over the past month, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu has disclosed.
Disu revealed the figures on Tuesday during the monthly conference with senior police officers at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the IGP, police operations carried out since the last strategic conference in May led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, 55 suspected kidnappers, 65-armed robbery suspects, 29 murder suspects and 42 suspected cultists.
He added that officers also recovered 114 firearms, 843 rounds of ammunition and 28 stolen vehicles from criminal elements across the country.
The IGP said the achievements reflected the Force’s commitment to tackling insecurity but stressed that more work remained to be done as the nation continues to grapple with kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, banditry, cult violence, farmer-herder clashes and cybercrime.
Disu consequently directed Commissioners of Police nationwide to strengthen intelligence gathering, deepen community policing initiatives and improve engagement with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations and transport unions.
He noted that stronger collaboration between the police and the public remains crucial to preventing crime and improving security outcomes.
The police chief also urged senior officers to maintain discipline within their commands, prioritise personnel welfare and ensure strict adherence to operational procedures.
He further emphasised the need for effective communication with the media to counter misinformation and improve public confidence in the Force.
The conference brought together Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to review the nation’s security situation and assess ongoing policing strategies.
