Nigeria Police Force Achieves Major Breakthrough: Over 270 Arrests and 111 Stolen Vehicles Recovered in a Month
In the last month, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has apprehended 271 suspects linked to murder and homicide while recovering 111 stolen vehicles.
The operations were spearheaded by Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, as part of ongoing efforts to combat violent crime across the nation. Alongside the murder arrests, the NPF detained 295 individuals for armed robbery, 186 for kidnapping, and 71 for illegal firearm possession. The police also seized 185 firearms and over 4,000 rounds of various ammunition types.
The Inspector-General attributed these achievements to a series of effective strategies and tactics designed to swiftly address criminal activity. The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to reducing crime nationwide.
### Broader Arrests and Operations
In addition to murder-related offenses, the police made notable strides in addressing other violent crimes. Their operations led to the arrest of 199 individuals for sexual offenses and 143 connected to cult activities. The NPF successfully rescued 129 victims of kidnapping, tackling this escalating issue in several regions.
Efforts to dismantle organized crime syndicates have also yielded results. The police disrupted a gunrunning ring led by Taimako Mato, a former Boko Haram weapons instructor, along with associates operating in the Bauchi-Plateau area. This syndicate was involved in the procurement and distribution of illegal firearms, with seizures including a PKT Machine Gun and various rounds of ammunition.
### Challenges and Reform Initiatives
Despite these successes, the Nigeria Police Force continues to grapple with chronic underfunding and budget constraints, which impede its ability to modernize operations and effectively combat crime.
Recently, an agreement involving Germany and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) allocated €8.5 million (around $9.4 million) to support police reform efforts in Nigeria. This initiative is part of a broader €21 million commitment aimed at enhancing police accountability and professionalism.
Ongoing reforms, initiated in 2021, focus on improving internal oversight through the Complaints Response Unit (CRU) and promoting the role of external bodies like the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to ensure transparency in police operations.
