Kogi State Police Command apprehended a total of 239 individuals for their alleged involvement in a range of criminal activities between February and May 2025.
This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, during a press briefing held on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state capital.
Breaking down the arrests, the Commissioner disclosed that 66 were apprehended for armed robbery, 75 for kidnapping, and 18 for culpable homicide.
Additionally, 21 suspects were held for unlawful possession of firearms, another 21 for rape, six for cultism, and 49 for various other serious crimes.
A significant cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered during the operations.
Items seized include five AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, nine magazines, and a total of 408 rounds of live ammunition of different calibers—comprising 344 rounds of 7.62/39mm, 62 rounds of 5.56mm, and two rounds of 7.62/59mm.
Also retrieved were one locally made revolver barrel gun, a black pump action magazine, nine expended AK ammunition, seven expended cartridges, two pump action guns, and two locally made pistols.
Commissioner Dantawaye emphasized the Command’s commitment to enhancing the professionalism and responsiveness of its personnel, noting that, “Participants of Course 7 in the ongoing Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise graduated last week Friday.”
He highlighted the adoption of proactive crime prevention measures which include intense highway patrols, targeted raids on criminal hideouts, and rigorous stop-and-search initiatives.
These efforts are backed by the deployment of trained, properly equipped, and motivated officers.
According to him, such strategies align with the Inspector General of Police’s broader community policing vision, aimed at reinforcing public trust in police operations.
In a call for collective effort, Dantawaye urged collaboration from various sectors of society, “We appeal for their cooperation and understanding in the interest of public safety.”
He specifically appealed to traditional rulers, religious and opinion leaders, youth groups, market associations, farmers, herders, vigilantes, hunters, and transport unions to support ongoing security efforts in the state.
