…Recover firearms, ammunition, and vehicles linked to criminal activities
The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a total of 239 suspects—including 75 kidnappers, 66 armed robbers, and 93 others—for various criminal offences across the state within the last three months.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing on Tuesday in Lokoja, shortly after assuming office in the state. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property while calling on stakeholders to actively collaborate with the police to ensure a safer Kogi State.
CP Dantawaye explained that the command has adopted a comprehensive crime prevention and control strategy. These include intensive highway patrols, coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and flashpoints, aggressive stop-and-search operations, and the deployment of well-trained, well-equipped, and highly motivated personnel.
“In the face of ongoing security challenges, the Nigeria Police Force plays a pivotal role in ensuring internal security. However, no police organization in the world, regardless of its training or resources, can succeed without public support,” Dantawaye said.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations, transport unions, farmers, herders, vigilantes, hunters, and other community stakeholders to join hands with the police in tackling insecurity.
The Commissioner pledged to implement community policing strategies as outlined by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), aimed at boosting public confidence and enhancing service delivery. He noted that a platform for intelligence-sharing with stakeholders has been created to ensure more effective crime control and management.
Highlighting the Command’s recent achievements, CP Dantawaye revealed that the arrest of 239 suspects followed a sustained crackdown on kidnapping, armed banditry, and other violent crimes. Weapons recovered from the suspects include:
5 AK-47 rifles
2 AK-49 rifles
9 magazines
344 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
2 rounds of 7.62/59mm ammunition
1 locally made revolver barrel gun
2 pump action guns
2 locally made pistols
1 black pump action magazine
9 expended AK-47 ammunition
7 expended cartridges
A Green Sharon vehicle abandoned by suspected gun runners at a checkpoint
CP Dantawaye also announced that the recently deployed Course 7 officers are undergoing rigorous training to align them with the operational ethics and standards of the Kogi State Police Command.
He reiterated the importance of credible and actionable intelligence from the public, assuring residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to a safer and more secure state.
