The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reported that over 29,000 suspects were arrested within a year for crimes such as kidnapping, rape, murder, gun-running, and cultism across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Adejobi shared this information in a statement obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday. He emphasized that these arrests are part of the police's efforts to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians.

Providing a breakdown, Assistant Commissioner of Police Adejobi noted that 4,826 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 3,078 for kidnapping, and 2,479 for sexual offences. Additionally, 1,243 individuals were apprehended for unlawful possession of firearms, 3,523 for cultism, 3,381 for murder/homicide, and 13,402 for other offences.

"In the past year," Adejobi said, "the Police have successfully apprehended 4,826 armed robbery suspects, 3,078 kidnapping suspects, 2,479 suspects for rape/sexual crimes, 1,243 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, 3,523 suspects for cultism, 3,381 suspects for murder/homicide, and 13,402 suspects for other offences." He also mentioned that over 1,750 kidnap victims were rescued, and various illegal items, including 2,566 firearms, 19,510 rounds of ammunition, and 1,475 vehicles/motorcycles, were recovered nationwide.

Updating on the prosecution of these cases, Adejobi revealed that the NPF has prosecuted 29,152 criminal cases within the year. Out of these, 17,679 cases have been conclusively resolved, while 11,576 cases are still pending trial.

He concluded by noting that 51 cases are under appeal at different appellate courts, and 16,200 convictions have been secured, with offenders serving various forms of punishment for their crimes.