The Nigerian Police Force has arrested and detained 10,852 people across the country for various crimes in the last three months, according to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun.
Egbetokun shared this update during a meeting with senior officers from the rank of Commissioner and above on Tuesday. He explained that the arrests were made between July and September 2024.
“The arrests and detentions were carried out between July and September. Within the period, a total of 416 arms, 3,672 rounds of ammunition, and 178 vehicles were recovered, while 369 kidnapped victims were rescued,” Egbetokun said.
The IGP noted a noticeable drop in crime rates in key areas, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cybercrime.
Preparations for Ondo Governorship Election
Egbetokun also discussed security measures for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16. He assured that the police are fully prepared for the task.
“As we prepare for the upcoming Ondo State off-cycle gubernatorial election, I urge all involved to replicate and build upon the successes recorded in Edo,” he said.
“We must ensure a robust security architecture. Officers on duty must perform their duties diligently and with utmost professionalism. Our mission is to provide a secured environment where voters can freely exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.”
The IGP pledged continued cooperation with other security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and stakeholders to ensure the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the election.
He also announced plans to increase patrols and implement other security measures throughout the “ember” months to safeguard the public.
