THE Kogi state Police Command said it has arrested 239 suspects for various criminal offences in the state within the month of February and May.
Kogi State Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, made this known in Lokoja on Tuesday while addressing Newsmen on how far the Command had gone in tackling crimes in the state.
According to him, “Out of this number, 66 suspected armed robbers were arrested, 75 suspected kidnappers were also arrested 18 were arrested for culpable homicide.
“Also, 21 suspected criminals were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, 21 arrested fo rape, 6 arrested for cultism while 49 suspects were arrested for involving in various heinous crimes across the state.
“Exhibits recovered includes Five AK-47 Rifles, Two AK-49 Rifle, Nine Magazines, 344 Rounds of 7.62/39mm Ammunition, 62 Rounds of 5.56mm Ammunition and 2 Rounds of 7.62/59mm Ammunition.
“Other weapons recovered were One Locally made Revolver Barrel Gun, One Black Pump Action Magazine, Nine Expended AK Ammunition, Seven Expended Cartridges, Two Pump Action Guns and Two Locally made Pistols.”
The commissioner further stated that to ensure that, the fight against kidnapping, armed banditry and other violent crimes in the state succeed, they have commenced training of their personnel to enhance their mental and operational capacity for better and efficient service delivery in the state.
“Participants of Course 7 in the ongoing Refresher combat operation Training Exercise graduated last week Friday. We have also adopted comprehensive crime prevention and control strategies in recent time through intensive patrol along the major highways, Raid of identified criminal hideouts; Black Spots and Flash Points, Conducting aggressive Stop and Search as well as massive deployment of well- trained, equipped, and motivated officers geared towards ridding Kogi State of all forms of crimes and criminality.
“The Command continues to adopt common problem-solving strategies embedded in the IGP’s community policing templates, which will help to improve public confidence in our service delivery.
“The Command has provided an avenue for effective collaboration with other critical stakeholders by giving them access to share information and intelligence that will assist in crime control and management.
“I therefore urge all Kogites, particularly traditional rulers, religious leaders, Opinion leaders, Youth groups, Market bodies, farmers, herders, vigilantes, hunters, transport union, okada union, tricycle union, among others, for their maximum support in the fight against criminality in Kogi State. I appeal for their cooperation and understanding in the interest of public safety.”
End.
