962 Arrested Nationwide as Police Tackle Crime Surge
Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 962 suspects for various crimes since the beginning of the year, showcasing its intensified efforts against criminal activities.
Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed this during the parade of 13 suspects in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adejobi revealed, “Since January 1, 2025, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant achievements in the fight against crime. These include the arrest of 179 armed robbery suspects, 100 kidnapping suspects, 152 murder/homicide suspects, 34 suspects connected with the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 77 rape suspects, 110 suspected cultists, and the recovery of 73 firearms, 310 rounds of ammunition, 56 stolen vehicles, and the rescue of 302 kidnap victims across the country.”
Two suspects, Folarin Tomisin (35) and Yahaya Oladimeji (23), were arrested in Ogun State on December 13, 2024, for defrauding their employer, a lifestyle hospitality business, of ₦300 million.
Adejobi explained that the duo siphoned funds over several years, diverting them into personal accounts to sustain a gambling addiction.
“Efforts to recover the stolen funds proved futile as most had been spent on gambling. The suspects confessed to benefiting only ₦2-3 million from gambling in three years, despite massive losses,” Adejobi said.
He added, “One suspect, Tomisin, was contemplating suicide due to his gambling addiction before his arrest. Both suspects will be charged to court after the investigation.”
In another operation, three suspects posing as soldiers were arrested in Abuja on January 16, 2025, for defrauding individuals and businesses using fake bank alerts.
The suspects include Muhammed Kabir, who claimed to be a captain in the Nigerian Army, and accomplices Donald Okpere and Haruna Ibrahim (25).
Adejobi said, “The suspects specialise in purchasing goods, mostly medical equipment and phones, using fake alerts. Kabir confessed to buying medical equipment worth ₦3.2 million with fake alerts and selling them to Ibrahim for ₦1.1 million. Investigations are ongoing, and more complainants are coming forward.”
The police reiterated their commitment to tackling crime and urged citizens to report suspicious activities.