The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has made a vow. He promised to re-arrest Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Regional Africa Manager, who escaped from custody in Nigeria.
The IGP said he will realize this with the help of the International Criminal Police Organisation.
Egbetokun said this on Thursday while fielding questions from journalists at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.
Egbetokun said, “I am not going to tell you what INTERPOL is doing, but I must tell you that we are doing a lot. I can assure you that the suspect would be re-arrested.”
Anjarwalla, 38, escaped from custody on Friday, March 22, 2024, from a ‘safe house’ where he and his colleague were detained.
The IG further revealed that kidnapping and murder cases have increased in the past eight weeks, as the Nigeria Police Force recorded 214 cases of kidnapping and 537 homicide cases.
Egbetokun noted that 3,685 suspects were apprehended for their participation in various crimes, while 401 kidnapped victims were rescued.
He said, “On the flip-side, we will continue to strive for excellence by being more proactive in our policing approach. Our responses to the current internal security threats require strategic deployments that are not only proactive but also technology and intelligence-driven.
“Through meticulous analysis of available information, we shall endeavour to pre-empt criminal activities, disrupt their illicit networks, and apprehend perpetrators swiftly. It is essential that we remain vigilant and adaptive in our approach, continuously refining our strategies to stay ahead of evolving threats.
“I am pleased to report a substantial advancement, propelled by the execution of diverse strategies aimed at mitigating the escalating trend of criminal activities across the nation after our last conference held on February 8, 2024.
“In the past eight weeks, we recorded 141 cases of terrorism/secessionist attacks, 537 cases of murder, 126 cases of armed robbery, 214 cases of kidnapping, and 39 cases of unlawful possession of firearms.
“Also, during the period under review, the Nigeria Police Force arrested 3,685 suspects for their participation in various crimes, 401 kidnapped victims were rescued, 216 various firearms, 3,601 ammunition and 82 vehicles were recovered.
“We have in the last nine months cumulatively presented cheques totalling N7,263,391,051.73 to 2,5143 families of deceased police officers.”