IG rallies officers as police arrest 1774 suspects

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday, admitted that Nigeria’s security challenges remain “complex and dynamic,” with threats emerging from terrorism, cybercrime, banditry, and transnational organised crime.

He, however, said the Force would continue its crackdown on criminals, adding that operatives arrested no fewer than 1,774 criminal suspects across the country within the past two months.

He said the arrests were in a sweeping crackdown on crimes, ranging from murder and kidnapping to cultism and armed robbery.

Speaking at a conference with strategic police officers, held in Abuja, Egbetokun said, “We are daily confronted with diverse threats; from terrorism and insurgency in parts of the North-East, to armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, cultism, cybercrime, and other transnational organised crimes.

Despite these daunting realities, you have remained resilient, resourceful, and professionally focused,” he said.

He said the successes recorded between April and May 2025 reflected the increasing operational resilience of the police amid evolving security threats.

“From April to May, we arrested 1,774 suspects involved in various offences, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism.

“We recovered 274 firearms, 2,583 rounds of ammunition, 187 stolen or unregistered vehicles, and rescued 476 kidnapped victims, many from highly difficult terrains, “ he said.

Egbetokun called for renewed vigilance and reform, adding that the battle was far from over.

Our work must be relentless. Criminals continue to evolve, and so must we. This is not the time to relent.

“We must redouble our crime-fighting efforts, embrace intelligence-led policing, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism,” he said.

The police boss also stressed the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation, enhanced logistical support, and improved community engagement.

“I urge all senior officers to lead by example, inspire their subordinates, and treat every crime as an attack on the soul of our nation,” the IGP said.

Egbetokun addressed growing concerns over police conduct and public perception, warning against the “false narratives” being peddled by “enemies of Nigeria who profit from instability.”

We will not tolerate police misconduct. I encourage citizens to report any form of abuse or extortion through our official channels.

“Your feedback is critical to building a truly professional and people-focused police force,” he added.

The IGP reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Nigerians, noting that public trust was growing, albeit cautiously.

“Let our actions speak louder than our uniforms. Let our service reflect the best of Nigerian resilience and sacrifice,” he said.