The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has disclosed that nationwide anti-crime operations carried out between June 9 and June 21, 2026, led to the arrest of 1,198 suspects across Nigeria.
The police chief made this known during a monthly strategic meeting with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force held in Abuja, highlighting significant gains recorded in the fight against crime.
According to him, the arrests cut across major criminal offences, including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.
He provided a breakdown of the figures, revealing that 151 suspects were arrested for murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, 104 for cult-related activities, and 169 for unlawful possession of firearms.
Egbetokun further noted that the operations led to the rescue of 166 kidnapped victims, alongside the recovery of 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition, and 47 stolen vehicles.
He emphasized that these achievements were made possible through the dedication and bravery of police personnel, many of whom risked their lives in the line of duty.
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Highlighting a major success, the IGP referenced the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a model of effective collaboration among security agencies.
He explained that the operation succeeded due to strong inter-agency cooperation, credible intelligence, and timely information from members of the public.
Despite the successes, the police boss warned against complacency, urging officers to remain vigilant and continuously improve operational strategies.
“Nigeria’s security challenges are evolving, and we must stay ahead through intelligence-driven and proactive policing,” he stated.
Egbetokun also directed Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to adopt strategies tailored to the specific security realities of their respective states, stressing that performance would be measured by tangible security outcomes rather than the number of operations conducted.
He further called on Nigerians to support law enforcement agencies by providing useful information, reiterating that community collaboration remains critical in sustaining security across the country.
“If you see something, say something,” he urged.
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