In a concerted effort to uphold public safety and security, the Nigeria Police Force, operating under the strategic guidance of Inspector General Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has achieved significant milestones in combating criminal activities nationwide over the past five weeks. This endeavor aims to diminish the allure of crime and safeguard the well-being of all citizens.
During this period, the Police Force apprehended a total of 1,346 suspects implicated in various violent offenses. These arrests include 385 individuals involved in armed robbery, 238 in kidnapping, 341 in murder or homicide cases, 87 linked to unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 143 in cases of rape, and 151 in connection with cultism activities.
Announcing these accomplishments at a press briefing held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Force Headquarters in Abuja, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, highlighted additional outcomes. Notably, law enforcement efforts led to the recovery of 143 firearms of diverse calibers, 741 units of ammunition, and the retrieval of 72 stolen vehicles. Furthermore, 461 kidnapped victims were rescued across the country during this period.
One significant operation involved a raid on an arms manufacturing hideout in Amahundu, Nanev, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on March 4, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence, a team from Operation Zenda Joint Task Force apprehended nine suspects, including a Cameroonian national. Seized exhibits from the site included eight Barretta Pistols in various stages of fabrication, an AK-47 rifle, 10 AK-47 live ammunition, 5 Barretta pistol ammunition, as well as welding gas cylinders and other fabrication materials.
Similarly, on February 24, 2024, based on actionable intelligence, operatives from the FCT Command conducted a successful operation in Sardauna, Toto forests, resulting in the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Samaila Wakili Fafa, also known as Habu Ibrahim. Fafa confessed to multiple killings, including the abduction and subsequent murder of prominent individuals. His confession led to the recovery of the remains of one of his victims, Barrister Chris Agidy, which were exhumed and deposited at Gwagwalada General Hospital.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of officer welfare in enhancing operational efficiency, the Nigeria Police Force has implemented various initiatives to support its personnel. These include the prompt disbursement of insurance benefits totaling 7.2 billion Naira to families of fallen officers within the past nine months, the upcoming Police Awards and Commendation Ceremony slated for April 15th, 2024, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, and the NPF Housing Summit scheduled for April 22nd to 23rd, 2024. Additionally, the Force has launched the Police Fund to address officers’ accommodation needs.
Inspector General Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun underscored the importance of bolstering officer welfare and morale, emphasizing their direct impact on service delivery and crime prevention. He urged landlords and employers in the Federal Capital Territory, and across the nation, to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing necessary information for proper profiling of prospective employees and tenants. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the NPF’s capacity to identify and deter potential threats within communities.
