No fewer than 29,000 suspects were arrested for offences ranging from kidnapping, rape, murder, gunrunning, and cultism, among others, across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in one year, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reveals.
This was disclosed by the FPRO in a signed statement obtained by the Chronicle NG on Thursday.
Adejobi noted that the arrests were part of efforts by the police to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians.
The force spokesperson stated that the arrests were part of the police’s efforts to protect the safety and security of Nigerians.
Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, reported that 4,826 suspects were detained for armed robbery, 3,078 for kidnapping, and 2,479 for sexual crimes.
He also stated that 1,243 people were arrested for unlawful possession of guns, 3,523 for cultism, 3,381 for murder or homicide, and 13,402 for various offences.
Adejobi said, “In the past year, the police have successfully apprehended 4,826 armed robbery suspects, 3,078 kidnapping suspects, 2,479 suspects for rape and sexual crimes, 1,243 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, 3,523 suspects for cultism, 3,381 suspects for murder or suicide, and 13,402 suspects for other offences.”
The FPRO also revealed that 1,750 kidnapping victims were rescued in numerous operations, as well as several caches of illegal objects, “including 2,566 firearms, 19,510 rounds of ammunition, and 1,475 vehicles and motorcycles” found around the country.
Adjoining provided an update on the crimes the force has prosecuted, stating that “the NPF has successfully prosecuted 29,152 criminal cases across the country within the year.
“Out of them, 17,679 cases have been conclusively dispensed with, while 11,576 cases are currently undergoing trial.”
He concluded that 51 cases were on review in various appellate courts, while 16,200 convictions had been gained, with criminals enduring various types of punishment for their criminal acts.