The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has assured the public of the safe rescue of all Nigerians in captivity across the country.
The IGP according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumiyiwa Adejobi in Abuja on Tuesday, made this call while reflecting on and appraising the effectiveness of the well-coordinated operations placed for the rescue of the 20 medical students who were kidnapped in Benue State on the 15th of August 2024, and other seven Nigerians who had been in the captivity of the heinous criminals.
A study published on Tuesday by the data collection company Statisense claims that 2,149 Nigerians were abducted nationwide in 2023.
The North-West recorded 759 abduction cases, the North Central 476 cases, the North-East 408 cases, the South-South 216 cases, the South-East 191 cases, and the South-West 99 cases. This is the geopolitical distribution of reported kidnapping cases.
Speaking further, the IGP also urged citizens to engage actively in national security and development initiatives in pursuit of an all-inclusive policing strategy.
The call aimed to foster a shift towards modern policing and to promote socioeconomic and political advancement in Nigeria.
The IGP further advocated for citizen volunteerism and an individualistic approach to social and security restructuring in the country.
Additionally, he emphasised the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, including the police, other security agencies, and government entities at all levels, to realise the vision of a new Nigeria characterised by enhanced national security and good governance for all.
The Inspector General of Police expressed his sincere gratitude to the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for his unwavering personal participation and unwavering assistance to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the rescue of our dear children and Nigerian nationals.
He also praised the NSA’s commitment to supporting security forces in carrying out their constitutional duties of protecting Nigerian citizens’ lives and property and maintaining law and order across the country.
Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police conveyed his appreciation to the National Security Adviser’s office officers, the armed forces, and other security staff, in addition to the local community members who actively took part in the rescue operation and many other similar endeavors across the country. Their contributions are commendable and essential to guaranteeing Nigeria’s security and that of its people.
He reiterated the commitment of the Police, under his leadership, to diligently establishing a Police Force that is driven by service, people-oriented, professionally skilled, and compliant with the law.
