Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that 1,774 criminal suspects were arrested across the country in just two months.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the arrests occurred between April and May 2025, spanning multiple states and regions nationwide.
The suspects were apprehended for a range of serious crimes, including armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, cult-related activities, and illegal possession of firearms.
According to the IGP, the figures are evidence of the Nigerian Police Force’s growing operational capacity and renewed commitment to public safety.
Egbetokun disclosed that the Force has intensified security operations in both urban and rural areas to tackle Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.
He acknowledged that the nation is facing a dynamic and multifaceted threat environment, citing terrorism, cybercrime, banditry, and transnational criminal activities as major concerns.
The police chief explained that several targeted raids, intelligence-led operations, and joint task force initiatives contributed to the recent spike in arrests.
He added that collaborative efforts between federal and state policing agencies have strengthened the national crime-fighting architecture.
These efforts, he said, are backed by improved intelligence gathering, enhanced logistics, and ongoing reforms in police operations.
Egbetokun reaffirmed his commitment to continuing structural reforms within the Force to ensure professionalism, accountability, and improved community relations.
He also stated that specialized units have been empowered to respond more swiftly to high-risk criminal activity across the country.
The Inspector-General emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.
He encouraged Nigerians to continue supporting the police through community policing and timely sharing of credible information.
Egbetokun assured citizens that the Nigerian Police Force remains fully committed to protecting lives and property and restoring public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
The announcement has been welcomed by some security analysts, who see it as a positive step in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insecurity and violent crime.
