Police arrest 1,503 high-profile criminal suspects and rescue 393 victims, IGP reacts

IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, has praised the Katsina State Police Command for apprehending

1,503 high-profile criminal suspects were apprehended, and 393 kidnapped victims were freed.

4 GPMGs, 37 AK47 rifles, and 288 anti-aircraft rounds were also recovered by the command.

CP Frank Mba said as much in a statement on Friday.

Force Headquarters, Abuja, Public Relations Officer

He also praised the state command for rescuing kidnapped victims and reuniting them with their families, saying that it demonstrated increased public trust.

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, the IGP gave the commendation during a one-day official visit to Katsina State, he said. He explained that the visit was part of an effort to conduct on-the-spot security assessments throughout the state, as well as mobilize members of the public and other credible stakeholders in the fight against crime.

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According to the statement, this would increase Police operatives’ trust in the Command and provide the necessary leadership for the onslaught against crime and criminality.

In Katsina State, for example, he said, a total of 1,503 suspected high-profile criminals were arrested in connection with various violent crimes in the state, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, sexual and gender-based crimes, and so on, in the first four months of the current administration.

“Among the suspects arrested are 267 suspected armed robbers, 314 suspected kidnappers, and 97 suspected bandits, among others.

“He also stated that police operatives successfully rescued 393 kidnapped victims, who have since been reunited with their families and communities,” according to the statement.

The IGP also confirmed that the force has had great success in disrupting the supply of weapons to bandits and other criminal elements in the state, according to the report.

He claimed that the interception and recovery of sophisticated weapons, including four GPMGs, 37 AK47 rifles, two G3 rifles, 288 anti-aircraft ammunition, and 118 AK47 ammunition, provided substantial evidence.

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Meanwhile, the IGP has reassured the public that, despite the challenging operational environment in which police officers work, the force will continue to make progress in the fight against crime across the country.

He urged parents and guardians, traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, and other key stakeholders to provide the necessary leadership, counseling, mentoring, and support to steer citizens, especially our youths, away from criminality.