NATIONAL: Over 21,000 dangerous criminals arrested in 2020, Police announces

THE Nigeria Police Force has affirmed a huge success achieved in 2020 in its bid to curb crime and insecurity in the country.

The Force recorded 21,296 notorious criminals arrested, recovered 3,347 firearms, 133,496 ammunition and 960 stolen vehicles.

A total of 1,002 kidnap victims were reunited with their families after their safe rescue.

This was revealed by Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, during the review of the scorecard of police operations at the Force headquarters in Abuja.

Giving the report, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, mentioned the major criminals caught:

Abubakar Umaru a.k.a Buba Bargu, a 35-year-old native of Kato Shiroro area of Niger State, arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad, STS. Abubakar. Abubakar is a member and armourer of a gang responsible for many kidnap-for-ransom operations along the Lokoja-Abuja/Abuja-Kaduna highways and other major highways in the North Central states, the release said.

Abubakar “carried out the abduction of one Mohammed Ahmadu a.k.a CONFIRM ‘m’, 30 years, a kidnap kingpin and leader of another notorious kidnapping group in the North Central, when he came to their hideout in the forest to sell live ammunition to the group. He was held and shot in the hand until his gang members paid a ransom of One Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-five Thousand Naira (N1,555,000.00) only for his release. Five (5) AK47 rifles, five (5) magazines and 120 rounds of AK47 ammunition were recovered from Abubakar Umaru at his hideout in the forest.”

The Police operatives also arrested five members of an armed robbery syndicate who have their criminal network and base across Edo, Delta, Ondo and Lagos States. The suspects: Godspower Ebogie, Samede Miracle, Efosa Rowland, a.k.a Double, Michael Ifeanyi Egwuatu and Ifeanyi Ewurum, a.k.a Rati, were arrested at various locations. They were allegedly linked to several cases of armed robbery and car snatching at gunpoint under investigations by the police. Two Toyota Camry Saloon cars (2006 and 2014 models), snatched from Mr. Osayuwamen Isokpan and Mr Harrison Eribo in Benin, Edo State, on June 26, 2020 and July 5, 2020 respectively were recovered from the gang. The cars have since been released to their owners.

The Force said the suspects will be charged to court after investigations have been concluded.

IGP Mohammed Adamu assured Nigerians of improved security in the year 2021, saying the Force will not relent in the fight against all forms of crimes in the country in 2021.

He said the Force “will implement aggressive, proactive, intelligence-driven and community-based crime fighting strategies in its quests to make the country safer.”

The IGP the Police Teams for their dedication and appreciated the citizens for their support so far. He also called for improved partnership and collaboration between the citizens and the Police, especially in the area of providing useful information to help the Police tackle crimes and apprehend unrepentant criminals.