Nigerian police arrest 218 suspects and free 95 hostages
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day Nigeria
Nigerian police arrested 218 suspects linked to banditry and terrorism and freed 95 kidnapped people during operations across the country. They also seized 306 firearms and 116 stolen vehicles, Inspector General Olatunji Disu announced in Abuja on Wednesday, according to Business Day.
Nigerian police arrested 218 suspects linked to banditry and terrorism, including 85 suspected of armed robbery, 129 of murder or culpable homicide and 59 of kidnapping. They also arrested 120 suspected members of cult groups and freed 95 kidnapped people, Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Olatunji Disu announced on Wednesday at a monthly conference in Abuja, according to Business Day Nigeria.
The operations also led to the recovery of 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles. Olatunji Disu attributed these results to operational intelligence, targeted deployments and cooperation with other security agencies, according to Business Day Nigeria.
The police chief nevertheless said that bandit attacks were continuing in some states. He ordered the police commissioners concerned to submit updated threat assessments and operational needs to police headquarters within 72 hours, while the deputy inspector general in charge of operations is to coordinate the deployment of reinforcements, mobility resources and air support to the worst-affected areas.
Olatunji Disu also asked local commanders to strengthen community intelligence-gathering with traditional leaders, village leaders, hunters' associations and local self-defence groups. The announcement comes after figures published by the Nigerian police on 10 November, which recorded 418 homicides and 227 kidnappings over eight weeks. It also follows the 42 hostages freed in military operations announced by the Nigerian military on 9 November.
