The Nigeria Police Force announced the arrest of over 2,355 individuals in connection with various offenses across the country. These arrests, made within the span of a month, include 199 individuals allegedly involved in sexual offenses, 186 suspected kidnappers, and 295 people linked to armed robbery activities.
The Force’s Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, revealed these statistics on Tuesday, noting that a significant haul of 185 firearms and 4,087 rounds of ammunition of varying types were seized during the operations. Additionally, the police rescued 129 kidnap victims and recovered 111 vehicles connected to criminal activities.
According to Adejobi, police units targeted and successfully disrupted a gunrunning network operating in the Bauchi-Plateau axis. This operation led to the capture of five individuals: Taimako Mato, John Danladi, Mohammed Munkail, Manasseh William, and Muhammadu Haddi. The gang was reportedly caught with an arsenal, including a PKT Machine Gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Interestingly, the syndicate’s ringleader, Taimako Mato, is said to have been a weapons trainer at a Boko Haram camp, supplying firearms to various clients through his network. His arrest is seen as a major win for the security forces.
Inspector General of Police has reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the nation, urging citizens to collaborate in efforts to curb crime. “The police will continue to adopt strategic measures to combat criminal activities while upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of lives and property,” Adejobi added in the statement.
This latest development highlights the force’s intensified efforts to clamp down on organized crime and safeguard citizens across Nigeria.
