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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, revealed that the Nigeria Police Force arrested 30,313 suspects for kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
He also said 1,581 kidnapped victims were rescued, 1,984 firearms, 23,250 rounds of ammunition, and 1,438 stolen vehicles were recovered in operations nationwide.
Speaking at the end-of-year conference with police strategic managers in Abuja, Egbetokun said the Force and the country encountered a lot of security challenges but the police achieved remarkable successes.
He said, “Reflecting on 2024, it is clear that both the Nigeria Police Force and the country at large faced a range of security challenges, but we also achieved notable successes. We dealt with a variety of internal threats, such as banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and armed robbery, as well as external threats posed by groups like ISWAP and the Lakurawa terrorists, primarily in the North-West region.
“The country also confronted other critical issues, including cultism, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, terrorism financing, money laundering, and cybercrimes, especially among our youth. Protests and civil unrest added to the challenges.
“In the year under review, the Nigeria Police Force achieved major successes in tackling crimes, leading to the arrest of 30,313 suspects for a range of serious offences, including kidnapping, cultism, murder, rape, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
In addition, we recovered 1,984 assorted firearms, 23,250 rounds of ammunition, 1,438 stolen vehicles, and rescued 1,581 kidnapped victims.”
Egbetokun said during the year, the National Cybercrime Centre disrupted a major fraud operation, recovering N3.9bn and arresting 130 suspects.
He said, “The NPF-NCCC made considerable strides in cybercrime enforcement. Detectives uncovered a major fraud operation, recovering N3.9bn and arresting individuals linked to a multi-bank scam. In November, a coordinated raid led to the capture of 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, involved in global cybercrime operations.”
In December, Egbetokun said the police uncovered counterfeit currencies and N129bn in fake notes during a raid in Kano State.
He said, “In our fight against terrorism financing and money laundering, the Nigeria Police Force took bold steps, including the establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit.
“On December 8, 2024, operatives in Kano State uncovered counterfeit currencies, and ATM cards, alongside a staggering N129bn in various counterfeit currencies. This operation underscores our determination to combat financial crimes that fuel terrorism and organised criminal activity.”
He said the fight against economic sabotage yielded impressive results.
“The IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering intercepted significant quantities of crude oil, AGO, and PMS in July, recovering large amounts of stolen petroleum products and arresting 17 suspects across multiple operations.
“The Force Marine Unit has played an essential role in maintaining security across Nigeria’s inland waterways. With the introduction of 23 advanced gunboats, our maritime security capacity has been significantly enhanced, allowing us to better combat smuggling, piracy, and other crimes at sea.”
Egbetokun also said over N12bn insurance was paid to 4,223 beneficiaries.
He said, “The welfare of our officers, both serving and retired, has remained a top priority. The Federal Government’s recent review of the national minimum wage has benefited all public officers, including our police personnel.
“Additionally, the launch of the Nigeria Police Insurance Company aims to improve our officers’ insurance and welfare packages. Over N12bn in insurance payouts have been distributed to 4,223 beneficiaries of the NPF Group Life Insurance Scheme.”
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