29,000 Arrested for Kidnapping and Other Crimes in One Year – FPRO
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says no fewer than 29,000 suspects were arrested for offences ranging from kidnapping, rape, murder, gun-running, and cultism among others across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in one year.
Adejobi disclosed this in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday.
The police spokesperson noted that these arrests were part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians.
Providing a breakdown of the arrests, Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, noted that 4,826 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 3,078 for kidnapping, and 2,479 for sexual offenses. Additionally, 1,243 suspects were apprehended for unlawful possession of firearms, 3,523 for cultism, 3,381 for murder/homicide, and 13,402 for other offenses.
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/sexual crimes, 1,243 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, 3,523 suspects for cultism, 3,381 suspects for murder/homicide, and 13,402 suspects for other offenses.”
He also revealed that no fewer than 1,750 kidnapping victims were rescued in multiple operations, with several caches of illegal items recovered nationwide, including 2,566 firearms, 19,510 rounds of ammunition, and 1,475 vehicles/motorcycles.
Updating on the force’s prosecution efforts, Adejobi disclosed that “The NPF has successfully prosecuted 29,152 criminal cases across the country within the year. Out of these, 17,679 cases have been conclusively dispensed with, while 11,576 cases are still undergoing trial.”
He concluded that 51 cases were under appeal in various appellate courts, and 16,200 convictions had been secured, with offenders serving various forms of punishment for their criminal acts.
