Posted by From Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja on
Men and officers of the Nigeria Police, between January and November 2005, recovered no fewer than 35,979 ammunitions and 1,082 firearms from armed robbery suspects.
Men and officers of the Nigeria Police, between January and November 2005, recovered no fewer than 35,979 ammunitions and 1,082 firearms from armed robbery suspects.
Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, who stated this in Abuja also said about 3,610 armed robbery suspects were arrested by the police during the period under review.
According to Ehindero, who stated these while addressing the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, in Abuja, 26 police officers died in the line of duty even as 15 others were injured during encounters with armed robbers.
He lamented the upsurge of armed robbery especially bank robbery and robbery along the Gwagwalada/Lokoja/Okene road noting that a crack team of anti robbery task force has been set up.
"The task force which comprises officers and men of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Police Mobile Force and the Federal Highway Patrol was charged with the responsibilities of carrying out intensive patrols along the route on twenty-four hours basis. In addition, they are to collate useful information from the public, raid all suspected criminal hideouts, black spots and arrest suspected robbers.
Ehindero disclosed that the Nigeria Police has taken decisive steps to curb influx of cross-border crimes like armed banditry, smuggling activities, human trafficking and influx of illegal aliens into the country.
Steps taken include joint border patrol with Benin Republic, collaborative security patrols with Niger Republic, joint border patrols with Customs and Immigration just to mention a few.