NINE hundred and twenty suspects were arrested for sundry crimes in the last four weeks, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, said yesterday.
The police boss said that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Operation Puff Adder for kidnapping, armed robbery, murder and cultism.
A breakdown of the arrests shows that 424 were arrested for kidnapping; 44 for murder; 276 were for armed robbery and 176 for cultism.
According to the IG, with 101 arrests, Kaduna State recorded the highest number of kidnap suspects, followed by Katsina State with 79.
Adamu also said that 77 stolen vehicles were recovered across the country by officers of the Operation Puff Adder.
The IG gave the report in Abuja during his monthly meeting with police management team and other senior police officers at the Force Headquarters.
Giving a breakdown of the arrest and recovery made, the IG said: “Sequel to the launch of Operation Puff Adder in all the states of the federation and other security strategies recently emplaced to address internal security threats, a total number of 424 kidnappers were arrested between 10th May, 2019, and 14th, June, 2019.
“The highest number of 101 kidnap suspects were arrested in Kaduna State; followed by Katsina State with 79 arrests; 54 suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa State and 32 in Taraba State.
“In the same vein, a total of 44 murder suspects were arrested during the period under review, with the highest number of seven in FCT and Six in Kano State; 276 armed robbery suspects were arrested within the same period with the highest number of 38 recorded in Edo State, followed by 25 in Nasarawa State and 23 in FCT.”
For the recoveries made, the police boss said: “A total of 10, 860 ammunition of various descriptions and calibre were recovered while a total of 301 firearms, including a rocket launcher, AK47 assault riffles, pistols and locally made gun, were similarly recovered from criminal elements across the country, with the highest number of 80 in Katsina State, followed by Edo State with 26 and Kaduna State with 25.
“One hundred and seventy-six suspected cultists were arrested across the country and 77 stolen vehicles were recovered by Operation Puff Adder operatives nationwide between 10th May, 2019 and 14th June, 2019, with the highest number of 29 in FCT.”
The IG stated that the successes were recorded as a result of the cooperation of members of the public and the sacrifices, courage, zeal and exceptional dedication of police officers.
