The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said the Nigeria Police Force has arrested more than 1,000 kidnappers and armed robbery suspects.
The IGP disclosed this at a public lecture in Lagos on how to tackle emerging security challenges in the nation.
According to the police boss, his men had been successful in preventing and detecting crime based on the number of kidnapping and armed robbery suspects arrested.
“Heinous crimes, especially kidnapping and armed robbery are being detected with great success. More than 1,000 kidnapping and armed robbery suspects have been arrested; over 270 of them were apprehended in July. Many of the kidnappers are facing trial across the country,” Idris said, adding that some of the suspects were killed during exchange of gunfire with policemen.
“You’re aware of the killing of the notorious kidnapper, Henry Chibueze, aka Vampire, in Imo State, during a shoot-out with the police. You will also remember the jubilation that followed the arrest of Chukwudi Onuamadike, aka Evans, in Lagos, recently. Efforts are made daily to arrest other suspected kidnappers and bandits across the country,” he said.
On the success so far recorded by the police, the IGP, who attributed it to collaboration with other security agencies, said: “It is true that the police have done well since my assumption of office. But, we did not do it alone. There has to be synergy among the military, other security agencies and the public to deal with the challenges of security in the country. This synergy has worked in many states like Benue, Kaduna, the North-East, Kano, Lagos, and the South-East,” Idris stated.
