…Police rescue 134 kidnapped victims, 375 suspected kidnappers,
…. 578 suspected armed robbers, 431 suspects arrested for rape, 724 suspects arrested for murder
… 2,343 arrested for other offences, with 433 suspected cultists topping the list
… recover 419 firearms of various types, with 4,235 different calibres of ammunition
I am highly delighted to welcome you all to this Conference, which is undoubtedly crucial to rounding off the year 2023.
Today, we are to deliberate on major security issues, x-raying some of the challenges we experienced most especially in the last few months and proffering possible solutions to fulfil our constitutional obligations of providing adequate security for all citizens and residents of our dear country.
In addition, the Conference will allow us to brief the media on certain developments and the efforts of the Force, so far, in tackling some of the crimes and criminality within the last 10 weeks.
Firstly, let me sincerely commend the Officers and Men of the Force and other security operatives at all levels for the journey so far in the year 2023.
We have done so much towards maintaining law and order and combating criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, insurgency and secessionists groups etc, to a level that is commendable.
I am convinced that our efforts in confronting the security challenges in this country are noticeable with drastic reduction in crime recently witnessed in many parts of the country.
I really commend you for your commitment, resilience and doggedness in this regard. These accolades and praises, however, were not just borne out of mere speculations or projections, but premised on the available achievements and empirical figures from various Commands and Formations across the country.
For the sake of emphasis, I am pleased to inform you all that within the last 10 weeks, the Force recorded significant successes in reducing crime rates across the country.
This was attained through a combination of intelligence-led operations, community engagements and proactive policing.
Within this period, our men were able to rescue 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 seventy-eight (578) armed robbery suspects in various operations across the country.
A total of four hundred and thirty-one (431) suspects were arrested for rape and other sexual related offences, seven hundred and twenty four (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.
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.
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 of them were neutralized while four were arrested and are currently in custody assisting police investigators.
A total of nine AK47 rifles and five thousand and 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 operation.
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 7 th 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 locations 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.
As we celebrate these achievements, let us also recognize that our work is far from over. The yuletide season presents new challenges and responsibilities and it is our duty to ensure that citizens celebrate in an atmosphere of peace and security.
This period traditionally comes with upsurge in activities in terms of social and religious gatherings as well as movements across the federation. It is thus imperative that we continue to proactively address potential security challenges.
We should increase the intensity of our anti-crime patrols and emplace other crime fighting strategies some of which will be discussed here today to safeguard the different communities where we 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 and I urge you all to boost your intelligence capacity and leverage on cutting-edge technology to dismantle criminal elements terrorizing our communities. Emphasis should also be on synergy with other security agencies and collaboration with your respective host communities.
At this juncture, I call on you all, Strategic Commanders of the Nigeria Police Force, to rededicate yourselves to the culture of excellence, professionalism and discipline in the performance of your duties.
Let our accomplishments over the past 10 weeks serve as a motivation for even greater successes in the future. Let me also remind you that the present Police administration under my leadership will not tolerate acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conducts, capable of projecting the Nigeria Police Force negatively.
We must commit ourselves to discipline and projection of the core value of decent and modern policing amongst officers and men of the Force. This is sacrosanct and no one should attempt to compromise it.
I call 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.
I assure you all of our 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 our beloved country.
Thank you all for your attention. I wish you Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in Advance.
Inspector General Of Police, Igp Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Meeting With Strategic Police Managers On Monday, 18th December, 2023, At The Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja
