By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Police Commissioner, CP Yusufu Lawan, has revealed that 721 suspects were arrested and paraded in 2024.
CP Lawan, who disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday at the command’s Headquarters in Maiduguri, highlighted the command’s achievements, including combating armed robbery, sexual violence, kidnapping, and theft.
The police according to him, also recovered unexploded devices, stolen vehicles, firearms, and drugs.
He said: “the vision of the Inspector Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM in ensuring a safe and secured environment for all Nigerians, through quality service delivery, professionalism and policing.”
” Excellence has provided the roadmap in pursuit of excellence as it relates to Borno state police command which has gained additional impetus from the 10 years strategic plan of Borno restoration as envisaged by Borno state government.
“To achieve the overarching objective of the aforementioned visions, the command has adopted the following strategies for combating crimes and social vices, Coordinator. Intentional Community Engagement by placing command .
“À capacity building through on-the-job training for improved knowledge, behavioral and skills acquisition, for all police and the Command has benefitted immensely from International agencies and other partners with the approval of the IGP to enhance the capacity building of officers to handle emerging security challenges associated with post insurgency, Such as GBV, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Awareness.
“Timely procurement of intelligence by building trust and communication with informal policing outfits such as CJTF Vigilante, Hunters group and community based organizations.
“In the year under review, the command recorded major achievements in combating crime leading to the arrest of 721 suspects for various offences including, armed robbery, sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
“Others include: kidnapping, theft and other heinous crimes, recovery of 18 Unexploded Explosive devices and IED’s, Recovery of 13 stolen vehicles and Keke Napep, Recovery of 6 fire arms large cache of drugs and other substances,” Lawan said.
In line with the vision of Inspector-General of Police to reduce crime at least by 30%, CP Lawan explained that in the year 2025, the command will sustain robust and proactive policing to ensure that Maiduguri Metropolis and other major towns in the state remain safe and secured.
He noted that the 10 years strategic plan of Borno State Government which spelt out the overarching objectives of reintegration of Displaced communities and to build the resilience of returnees, back to their ancestral homes will be the focus of the command policing priorities in the year 2025.
The police boss also unveiled plans to strengthen the transitional justice system, ensuring that communities have a say in shaping their security and human rights. This participatory approach aims to protect communities from harm and promote human rights [1).
CP Lawan expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum for his unwavering support, particularly in enacting the Borno State Penal Code Law and domesticating the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and VAPP ACT. These efforts have significantly accelerated prosecution processes.
The commissioner also thanked the people of Borno State for their increased security awareness and cooperation, assuring them of the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and quality service delivery.
