462 suspected terrorists, murderers, others arrested, weapons recovered

The police have arrested at least 462 suspects for banditry/terrorism, murder, armed robbery and cultism.

The arrests, according to the Force, were made in the last two months across different parts of the country.

The police also stated that 188 firearms, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher, a total of 4,173 rounds of ammunition, three vehicles and two motorcycles were recovered during the period.

A statement on Thursday by the acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, disclosed this during a meeting with police managers on robust intelligence-led policing.

It added that 204 kidnapped victims were rescued within the period while a sum of N800,000, army camouflage and 10 cartons of Pentazocine BP 30 injections were recovered.

According to Adejobi, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the country’s internal security and reevaluating police strategies in ensuring public safety.

The statement partly read, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, today March 3, 2022, met with strategic police managers — Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Force management team at the newly-upgraded IGP’s Smart Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“The IGP, who lauded the significant progress in the police anti-crime operations nationwide leading to a downward trend in the frequency of major crimes across the country, attributed it to the individual and collective sacrifices, professionalism and enhanced operational efficiency cum efficacy of his administration’s current strategies.

“While counting the massive successes of ‘Operation Sahara Storm’ and its significant achievements in bandits’ enclaves within Illela, Rabbah and Goronyo Local Government Areas of Sokoto State between 20th and 29th January, 2022, the IGP stated that aside from the destruction of all the camps and other assets of the bandits in the criminal enclaves, a total of 38 suspected bandits/terror elements were arrested while 32 AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade launcher, 1,412 7.62mm live ammunition, 1,200 rounds of live AA ammunition, one locally-fabricated revolver pistol, three motor vehicles, two motorcycles, 10 cartons of Pentazocine BP 30 Injections, cash sum of N800,000 and three pairs of Army camouflage were recovered during the operation.”

From January 2022 to date, the statement stated that aside from ‘Operation Sahara Storm’ statistics, 36 suspected terrorists, 78 murder suspects, 110 armed robbery suspects, 50 kidnapers and 150 cultists were arrested during various police operations across the country.

It added, “Equally, 204 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued, while one 155 firearms of various descriptions and 1,561 live ammunition were recovered.”

Commenting on the upcoming 2023 general elections, Baba affirmed the commitment of the police leadership to deal with politically-related infractions that could ensue and prepare ahead credible general elections next year.

The statement further read, “The IGP reemphasized that while stop and search strategy could occasionally be an invaluable anti-crime tactic, such should not be done without requisite approval, must not be a permanent strategy and must equally be conducted with extant police protocols which emphasize civility to members of the public with the highest level of professional decorum.

“While soliciting the continued understanding and support of Nigerians, the IGP reassured of his commitment to the police reform project, with assurances to continually provide responsible and responsive leadership that will address the fears of crimes and engender seamless police and citizens’ partnership in the fight against crime in the country.”