The Nigeria Police Force has announced that over 29,000 suspects were arrested across the country in the past year for a range of serious crimes including kidnapping, rape, murder, gun-running, and cultism.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, these arrests were part of a concerted effort to enhance safety and security nationwide. The breakdown of arrests includes 4,826 suspects for armed robbery, 3,078 for kidnapping, 2,479 for sexual offences, 1,243 for illegal possession of firearms, 3,523 for cultism, 3,381 for murder or homicide, and 13,402 for other offences.
The police also successfully rescued around 1,750 kidnap victims and seized significant quantities of illegal items, including 2,566 firearms, 19,510 rounds of ammunition, and 1,475 vehicles and motorcycles.
In terms of legal action, the police prosecuted 29,152 criminal cases in the last year. Of these, 17,679 cases were concluded, while 11,576 are still ongoing. Additionally, 51 cases are under appeal, and 16,200 convictions have been secured, with offenders receiving various forms of punishment.
The police emphasized that these efforts are part of their ongoing commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.
