NPF Records 172 Cases of Kidnapping, 102 Terrorism and Banditry, 302 Murder Within 7 Weeks - IGP Rolls Out Operational Successes


The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has said by executing some of the strategies and plans formulated at the last conference, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded one hundred and seventy-two (172) cases of kidnapping, one hundred and two (102) cases of banditry, terrorism/secessionist attacks, three hundred and two (302) cases of murder, one hundred and eleven (111) cases of armed robbery, and fifteen (15) cases of unlawful possession of firearms.

IGP Egbetokun disclosed this today, 8th February 2024 in Abuja at a Conference with Strategic Police Managers to assess the prevailing state of the nation's internal security, underscore some of noteworthy accomplishments and review the policing strategies in alignment with the fundamental tenets of policing mantra – competence, service-driven, rule-of-law compliant, and people-friendly policing system.

The conference, according to the IGP is to collaborate and brainstorm specific strategic and tactical measures to be implemented across various Commands and Formations, to fortify operational strategies and enhance administrative initiatives, addressing matters related to professionalism and enhancing service delivery standards.


The IGP said in the last seven weeks since the last Conference, the Force has attained noteworthy milestones in curtailing crime rates throughout the country. This achievement is attributable to the strategic blend of proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community engagements as advocated by the Force leadership.

He stressed that at the outset of this address that apart from highlighting and celebrating NPF wins and achievements during the period under review, "we must also seize this opportunity to reflect upon our short-comings ad obvious gaps in our performance. That will enable us to set the appropriate contexts for taking necessary and decisive steps towards doing things differently in order to achieve our statutory mandate and responsibilities as outlined above." he said

He added that the Nigeria Police Force arrested eight hundred and fourteen (814) suspects for their participation in various crimes, rescued one hundred and seven (107) kidnapped victims, and recovered one hundred and sixty-six (166) various firearms, one thousand and seventy-four (1,074) ammunition and forty-one (41) vehicles.


He pointed out that the launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in the FCT which has started to yield positive dividends as highlighted later in this address. Significant strides have also been made in maintaining law and order, combating criminal activities, including but not limited to kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, insurgency, and secessionist groups.

The arrest of twenty-three (23) male suspects and recovery of vessel MT Kali following intelligence received from a private security contractor employed by the NNPC Ltd that the vessel and its occupants were involved in tampering pipeline and stealing crude oil at the Ekeni Area, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State. The Task Force promptly responded, successfully arrested the suspects and took them into custody along with the vessel. All suspects have been charged to court, and now facing prosecution.

NPF-NATIONAL CYBER CRIME CENTRE

Within the period under review, the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has recorded notable successes in its quest to tackle the scourge of cyber related crimes. These include:

The arrest, investigation and arraignment of one (1) suspect in connection with Two Million US Dollars ($2,000,000.00) financial security breach.


The investigation, arrest and arraignment of twelve (12) suspects in connection with Interswitch Thirty Billion Naira (N30,000,000,000.00) security breach. The efforts led to the recovery of thirteen (13) cars, forty-three (43) houses and landed properties, One Billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Four Million Naira (N1,724,000,000.00) cash and another sum of One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000.00) digital assets trashed and frozen.

The investigation, arrests of suspects and recovery of funds in a case of fraud and breach of trust involving One Billion Two Hundred Million Naira (N1,200,000,000.00) for the establishment of an e-governance platform for the Enugu State Government where the sum of One Billion, Ninety-Seven Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,097,700,000.00) was recovered.

RUN OFF/BYE ELECTIONS

The recent peaceful and successful conduct of the run-off and bye-elections across 26 states of Nigeria on February 3rd, 2024, is another evidence of result-oriented proof of the strategic deployments of the Nigeria Police Force and resilient support for our democratic process. Whilst majority of the elections proceeded smoothly, there were pockets of challenges encountered in some areas. In response, the Police took swift action, making several arrests to prevent the disruption the electoral process.

In total, fourteen (14) suspects, including two (2) public officials, were apprehended across the affected States. In Akwa Ibom State, a locally made pistol was recovered, while a suspected thug was lynched by members of the public in Kaduna State. The arrested suspects will be handed over to the INEC upon conclusion of investigations for further actions in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).


FCT

In the Federal Capital Territory, the recurring security breaches witnessed in the late 2023 and early January 2024, led to the launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) on the 17th of January 2024, as a significant stride towards fortifying the security landscape in the capital city. Amongst the successes recorded following this launch include the arrest of one Idris Ishaku a.k.a Yellow, a notorious kidnap kingpin in the Bwari axis, and two (2) others. Apart from engaging in kidnapping activities, the 5 suspects form part of the network of spies providing information on potential victims to other criminal gangs and syndicates.

Again, on the 24th of January, 2024, the SIS in conjunction with some officers from the FCT Command, and vigilantes stormed a kidnapping syndicate camp in Ukya Village Nasarawa where they were able to secure the rescue of 14 hostages unhurt after a fierce gun battle.

RIVERS

On 13/1/2024 at about 1743hrs, Rivers State Police Command received a distress call from a member of the public that an 18-seater bus coming from Owerri to Port Harcourt was attacked by unknown gunmen along Umuanwa/Ubima Road. Police Operatives immediately raced to the scene and engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, leading to the rescue of ten (10) victims who have all been reunited with their families; while effort is ongoing to locate and rescue the other missing victims.

PLATEAU

Following the recent attack in Mangu area of Plateau State, operatives of the SIS deployed to the area swung into action to prevent further attacks. The operatives arrested nine (9) suspects in connection to the recent attack, recovered from them dangerous weapons including machetes, petrol kegs, which are suspected to have been used by the hoodlums to set fire on houses in the area. Normalcy has since been restored and security operatives are fully on ground to thwart any further attack, while manhunt for the attackers continues till they are hunted down.

KADUNA

On 20/01/2024, Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command acting on intelligence, raided one hotel in Tafa Area, Kaduna, where one Bello Mohammed was arrested with the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,250,000) suspected to be part of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims. The suspect instantly offered the DPO Tafa Division a bribe of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) which was rejected. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his membership of the gang that kidnapped the family members of one Barrister Ariyo in Bwari, FCT, and killed some kidnapped victims, including Ms. Nabeeha, daughter of the legal practitioner.

On the 24th of January, 2024, some operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) intercepted a group of persons along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway who were suspected to be major suppliers of arms and ammunition to bandits operating in Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara States. The suspects have confessed to the crimes and assisting us in further investigations into the matter.

KOGI

On 17/01/2024 at about 0800hrs, credible information and intelligence was gathered that some dreaded and unrepentant criminals who specialize in terrorizing Kogi State, Kaduna State, FCT and other parts of Northern Nigeria were taking refuge at their hideout at Obajana in Kogi State. A crack team of FID-IRT was immediately detailed to go on their trail. The operatives succeeded in arresting one Usman Yunusa and Samila Haruna and recovered two AK47 rifles from them. The suspects are aiding the ongoing investigation.

OGUN

On 27/01/2024 at about 0235hrs, security operatives uncovered the clandestine operations of one Abdul-Azeez Ibrahim (AKA Butcher) 'm' of Imaweje community by Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun Campus, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State as the armourer for Aye confraternity, a cult group responsible for serial attacks on students and innocent members of the community. The suspect was trailed to his criminal hideout where the following exhibits were recovered; one serviceable Brownie Pistol loaded with 4 rounds of live ammunition and its magazine, one pump action rifle-jojef with 10 rounds of live cartridges, one English long double barrel riffle, on English short double barrel rifle, one locally made revolver pistol loaded with 2 rounds of live ammunition, one axe of aye confraternity, charms, locally fabricated body armour, etc.

EKITI

Following a tragic incident in Ekiti State which claimed the lives of two (2) traditional rulers, kidnap of five (5) school children, three (3) teachers and a driver, a joint operation comprising of officers of Ekiti and Ondo States Police Command in conjunction with other security and local security groups stormed the forest in search of the perpetrators of this heinous act. This led to the arrest of thirteen (13) suspected kidnappers. Exhibits recovered from them include: cutlasses, axe, daggers, two (2) motorcycles, four (4) mobile phones, one cow and other food items. On 4th February, local vigilantes and hunters as well as the family members, successfully rescued the five (5) abducted school children and three (3) teachers.

KWARA

Following the kidnap of the Olukoro of Koro Kingdom, Late Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, who was gruesomely murdered in his palace on the 1st of February, 2024, a police chopper was deployed for aerial surveillance of the forestry boundary between Kwara and Ekiti State. This operation led to the successful rescue of the wife of the late monarch and one other. Also, thirteen (13) male suspects were arrested and are presently aiding the investigation.

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL UNIT (EOD-CBRN)

The EOD-CBRN Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has continued to exhibit exceptional operational skills and recording exploits, particularly during the peak of Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) activities which saw the Unit effectively halting terrorist’s incessant bombing campaigns. It is noteworthy that among their recent achievements was an incident which occurred on the 4th of December, 2023, where personnel from Base 13 Maiduguri safely handled an Anti-Disturbance Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the University of Maiduguri entrance. Additionally, Base 13 was instrumental in numerous road clearance operations, neutralizing buried IEDs and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) in Mallam Fatori, Abadan LGA, Baga, Doro Baga, Bama, Marte, Auno, Jakana, Dikwa, Monguno, Magumere, Danboa, Gamboru Ngala, Konduga and Maiduguri., facilitating the safe return of residents to their homes.

Similarly, on 08/01/2024, personnel of the EOD-CBRN Base 36 Awka, stationed at the Military Forward Operational Base, Anambra State, successfully recovered five IEDs from an unregistered Lexus Jeep following the neutralization of three (3) IPOB members in Ihiala, Anambra State. I also wish to commend the prompt response of the personnel of the EOD-CBRN in Oyo State Police Command to the regrettable explosion incident at Ibadan on 16/01/2024. The swift response and expertise in managing explosive incidents across the nation have significantly contributed to mitigating such occurrences reducing avoidable loss of lives.

IGP SPECIAL TASK FORCE ON PETROLEUM & ILLEGAL BUNKERING (STFPIB)

The IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (STFPIB) is a Unit of the Nigeria Police Force responsible for tackling the menace of illegal bunkering and other crimes associated with the oil sector. The renewed vigour of the current Police administration, to stem the tide of activities of Illegal Oil Bunkering and other nefarious activities directly hampering progress in the Oil and Gas sector, has led to doubled efforts targeted at checkmating the perpetrators of these illicit acts, and leading to the arrest and interception of some criminal elements sabotaging the country’s economy.

The STFPIB, in the months of January and February 2024, arrested a total of fifty- nine (59) suspects, and recovered two (02) vessel, six (6) trucks, one (1) Toyota Camry vehicle, two hundred (200) sacks of adulterated automotive gas oil (AGO), eighty (80) drums of adulterated AGO, forty (40) Gee Pee tanks of adulterated AGO, and sixty-two thousand (62,000) litres of adulterated AGO.

"We understand the gravity of the challenges we face and the responsibility we bear in ensuring the safety and well-being of every citizen. I assure you that the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property, and we are actively working to address the security threats facing our nation.

"By fostering stronger partnerships with communities, leveraging intelligence-led approaches, and enhancing our operational capabilities, we are dedicated to confronting these challenges head-on and restoring peace and stability across the country. The safety of our people is our utmost priority, and we pledge to continue undauntedly in safeguarding our beloved nation." he noted

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The IGP said in the last seven weeks since the last Conference, the Force has attained noteworthy milestones in curtailing crime rates throughout the country. This achievement is attributable to the strategic blend of proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community engagements as advocated by the Force leadership.

This is where I stopped reading.

302 people were brutally murdered.
172 people were kidnapped.
111 ARMED robberies were committed.

All these in LESS than a month's. But somehow, the NPF counts this as evidence of "proactive policing".

302 people lost their lives to murderers since the year began and it's a WIN in the books of NPF.

That's how USELESS the Nigerian Police have become!

It gets worse when you consider the.fact that these stats are just the ones "reported" in a country that keeps lousy records.

I'm very sure NOTHING less than 1,000 people have been killed in Nigeria this year.

Very useless ENTITY!