By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
No fewer than 239 criminal suspects have been arrested by the Kogi state Police command while several weapons and ammunition were recovered within four months of operation in Kogi state.
The Kogi State Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lokoja on Tuesday,
announced the arrest of 239 suspects for various criminal offenses between February and May 2025.
The breakdown of the suspects arrested within the period includes: 66 suspected armed robbers, 75 suspected kidnappers and 18 suspects arrested for an alleged culpable homicide.
Others suspects arrested includes 21 for unlawful possession of firearms, 21 suspects arrested for rape, 6 for cultism while 49 were arrested for other heinous crimes respectively.
According to the commissioner, some weapons recovered by the command during its operations
includes 5 AK-47 Rifles, 2 AK-49 Rifles, 9 Magazines, 344 Rounds of 7.62/39mm Ammunition, 62 Rounds of 5.56mm Ammunition and 2 Rounds of 7.62/59mm Ammunition.
Others are 1 Locally made Revolver Barrel Gun, 1 Black Pump Action Magazine,9 Expended AK Ammunition, 7 Expended Cartridges, 2 Pump Action Guns and 2 Locally made Pistols respectively.
Commissioner Dantawaye also pointed out that the Command has initiated personnel training to boost mental and operational capacity for more effective service delivery in the state.
“Participants of Course 7 in the ongoing Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise graduated last week Friday,” adding that the Command has adopted comprehensive crime prevention strategies.
“I assure you that the renewed commitment of the command to sustain the tempo of fight against criminality in Kogi State and guarantee protection of lives and properties remains unequivocal and unwavering.”
He attributed the achievements recorded by the Police to the proactive strategies rooted in intelligence-led policing and robust interaction with the various stakeholders of our communities and solicited the cooperation of the good people of Kogi State to provide credible and timely information to the Police.
The Commissioner noted that these efforts are part of the IGP’s community policing strategies aimed at building public confidence in police service delivery.
Dantawaye therefore called on community leaders and stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, youth groups, market bodies, farmers, herders, vigilantes, hunters, transport unions, and others, to support the fight against crime in Kogi State.
