The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Muhammed Ali, says crime statistics in the state dropped to 424 in 2021 from 2,013 recorded in 2020.

Speaking on Monday in Asaba at a security stakeholder meeting, Mr Ali said that only 173 armed robbery cases were reported in 2021, compared to 7,034 in 2020, stressing that 83 kidnap cases were recorded in 2021 as against 478 in 2020.

He added that 102 murder-related cases were recorded in 2021 as against 200 in 2020, and “Sixty-six cult-related cases were recorded in 2021 as against 578 incidents recorded in 2020.

“Two-hundred-and-two suspected armed robbers were either arrested or had their nefarious plans busted before they were hatched in 2021.

“Eighty-one suspected kidnappers were arrested in 2021 with 73 victims rescued and reunited with their relations,’’ the commissioner said.

According to Mr Ali, 91 persons were arrested over alleged murder, while 513 suspected cultists were arrested either at their initiation grounds, their hideouts or during inter-cult clashes.

“For the recovery of arms and ammunition, 227 arms of varying calibres and 10,151 ammunition were recovered from suspected IPOB members, kidnappers and cultists.

“The ratio showed that 156 arms were recovered from kidnappers and armed robbers; 49 arms from suspected cultists and 22 from murder suspects.

“Out of the 10,151 recovered ammunition, 6,545 were from proscribed IPOB members, kidnappers and armed robbers, while 1,352 were recovered from cultists,’’ Mr Ali added.

(NAN)