The Katsina State Police Command recorded 938 criminal cases and arrested 1,627 suspected criminals in 2023, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has said.

Mr Abubakar-Musa, at a press conference on Tuesday in Katsina, said that out of the figure, 855 cases were charged to court.

The CP explained that among the suspects arrested were 258 for armed robbery, 64 for kidnapping, 176 for murder, 369 for rape and sodomy, and others for various offences.

Mr Abubakar-Musa further said the police succeeded in neutralising 17 suspected kidnappers and rescued 171 victims in 2023.

According to him, the police also rescued 67 human trafficking victims during the period under review.

He added that the command recovered 12 AK 47 rifles, 1,500 live ammunition, over 700 rustled livestock, 12 vehicles and 17 handsets.

The CP said others were illicit drugs and substances, including 568 sachets of D5 tablets, 23 packets of Exzole tablets, 411 packets of Rebozel tablets, five packs of Diezole tablets, and a quantum of Indian hemp.

“More work needs to be done starting from this moment; it is very imperative to warn unrepentant criminals to either surrender or risk arrest,” the CP added.

He commended journalists for their enormous cooperation that led to the successes recorded by the command.

“The fight against crime and criminality is so dynamic and demanding, but I urge you to continue to project the diligent and good work of the command and other security agencies to the general public,” he added.

Mr Abubakar-Musa also thanked the state’s people for their support, understanding and cooperation with the command.

(NAN)