The Borno Police Command says it arrested 2,610 suspects for various crimes in 2025 and successfully investigated, prosecuted, and secured convictions in 1,023 cases.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Naziru Abdulmajid disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri, while presenting the command’s operational scorecard for 2025 and outlining its strategic policing direction for 2026.

Mr Abdulmajid said the achievements were recorded through sustained crime-prevention patrols, intelligence-led policing, prompt emergency response, and effective inter-agency collaboration across the 27 local government areas of the state.

According to him, the command also recorded significant recoveries during the period under review, including eight assorted arms and 54 rounds of ammunition.

He added that 41 cutlasses and knives were recovered from criminal elements, while nine unexploded ordinances (UXOs) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered and safely neutralised in furtherance of public safety and counter-terrorism efforts.

The commissioner said coordinated police operations also led to the successful rescue of 18 kidnapped victims.

“Within the same period, the command recovered 27 stolen vehicles and 187 mobile phones, which are currently undergoing verification for possible return to their rightful owners,” he said.

Mr Abdulmajid further disclosed that a large cache of hard drugs and other illicit substances valued at N5.7 million was recovered, noting that the seizures disrupted criminal drug distribution networks within the state.

He acknowledged the operational foundation laid by his predecessors before he assumed duty on June 8, 2025, as the 43rd commissioner of police in Borno.

The commissioner said Borno’s security environment remained complex, stressing that the recorded successes were the product of continuity, collective effort, resilience, and professionalism of officers and men of the command.

Mr Abdulmajid reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the vision and mission of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which he said are anchored in professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and community-oriented policing.

Looking ahead to 2026, the commissioner said the command would prioritise intelligence-led policing as its core strategy for crime prevention and detection and strengthen synergy with other security agencies.

Mr Abdulmajid said police patrols, visibility, and vigilance would be intensified in both urban and rural areas, supported by improved surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.

He added that continuous training and retraining programmes would be implemented to enhance officers’ capacity in modern policing techniques, professionalism, and compliance with human rights.

The commissioner said the command would also intensify partnerships with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and the general public to promote information sharing and trust-building.

He assured residents of the state of the command’s readiness to adapt to evolving security realities, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force would remain proactive, neutral, and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

Abdulmajid urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.

(NAN)