Over 4,000 Arrested, More Than 1,100 Kidnap Victims Rescued in Three Months — IGP

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has urged senior officers to lead with vision, integrity, and accountability, warning that the Nigeria Police Force must not be used to serve private interests or selective justice.

Speaking at the Strategic Police Officers Conference held on Tuesday at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Abuja, the IGP revealed that between July 31 and September 23, 2025, the police arrested 4,383 suspects nationwide. The arrests included 481 armed robbery suspects, 260 kidnappers, 371 homicide suspects, 161 individuals for unlawful possession of firearms, and 322 rapists.

The police also recovered 716 firearms, 21,238 rounds of ammunition, 212 stolen vehicles, and rescued 1,138 kidnapped victims.

Describing the conference as “a call to leadership — an audit of our performance, a stocktaking of our direction, and a moment of deliberate recalibration,” Egbetokun stressed that the performance of Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) defines not just their commands but the credibility of the entire Force.

“The nation looks to this room not for promises or applause, but for vision, strategy, and execution. What defines our tenure is not the number of suspects paraded, but the institutional culture we build, the standards we enforce, and the confidence we restore in the uniform we wear,” the IGP said.

He highlighted successful operations in several states, including dismantling IPOB/ESN strongholds in the South-East, rescuing kidnap victims in Edo, and apprehending armed robbers and cultists in Delta, Ogun, and Zamfara.

“Each of these figures represents more than enforcement metrics; they reflect lives saved, families reunited, and communities restored to peace,” Egbetokun said.

The IGP condemned the misuse of police authority in civil disputes, particularly land matters, warning that any officer who engages in such activities without a criminal component would face disciplinary action.

With the onset of the “Ember Months,” often associated with spikes in robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings, and highway banditry, Egbetokun directed zonal and state commands to enhance patrols, including feeder routes and forest corridors, while strengthening community engagement.

He urged senior officers to translate conference resolutions into action, emphasizing that their conduct sets the tone for the entire Force. “If you uphold ethics, so will your officers. If misconduct is ignored, impunity will grow. The quality of your decisions shapes public perception of the Police,” he said.

The IGP concluded by reminding officers of their duty: “We owe our officers clarity, our citizens protection, our badge integrity, and this nation a Police Force that does not falter — even when others do.”