The Yobe State Police Command has provided a significant year-end accounting of its law enforcement activities, revealing a total of 726 arrests made from January 1st to December 23rd, 2025. This data, released by Command Spokesman SP Dungus Abdulkarim, offers more than just statistics; it provides a crucial snapshot of the state’s security landscape, operational priorities, and the challenges faced by officers in a region historically impacted by insurgency and other criminal activities.
A critical breakdown of the arrests shows a focus on serious, violent crime. Of the 726 suspects, 428 (approximately 59%) were apprehended for alleged capital offences. This category includes the most severe threats to public safety:
- Kidnapping & Armed Robbery: These crimes not only cause direct harm but also create pervasive fear, stifle economic activity, and destabilize communities. The high number of arrests in this category suggests these remain priority targets for the Command.
- Rape & Culpable Homicide: Arrests for these violent personal crimes indicate a focus on protecting the most vulnerable citizens and upholding fundamental rights to life and bodily integrity.
The remaining 298 suspects were held for what are classified as minor offences, such as theft, burglary, cheating, and breach of public peace. While termed “minor,” these crimes have a profound cumulative impact on daily life, eroding trust and the sense of security within neighbourhoods. Proactive policing on these fronts is often key to preventing an environment where more serious crime can flourish.
SP Abdulkarim confirmed that the majority of these suspects have already been arraigned before courts of competent jurisdiction, demonstrating a workflow aimed at moving cases from arrest to the judicial system. A smaller subset remains under investigation, highlighting the ongoing, meticulous work required to build prosecutable cases.
These figures were central to a strategic security review meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ado, with his senior operational team—Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Heads of Departments, and Tactical Commanders. Beyond commending the “resilience and dedication” of his officers, CP Ado’s directives outlined a clear, multi-layered security strategy for the immediate future:
- Festive Season Security: With directives for maximum deployment at worship centres, markets, recreational facilities, and other crowded areas, the Command recognizes the heightened risks during periods of large public gatherings. This is a standard but vital preventative posture.
- Protection of Critical Infrastructure: A specific and timely order was given to provide adequate security coverage for all schools, especially with academic resumption scheduled for January 15, 2025. This reflects a national and regional imperative to safeguard educational institutions from attack.
- Inter-Agency Collaboration: The activation of a comprehensive Operational Order in collaboration with sister security agencies (likely including the military, DSS, and NSCDC) is crucial. Complex security challenges are rarely solved by a single agency; coordinated operations force-multiply efforts and close gaps criminals might exploit.
- Intelligence-Led & Proactive Policing: The CP’s stress on intelligence gathering as “pivotal” and directives to intensify proactive strategies mark a shift from purely reactive policing. This involves analyzing crime patterns, monitoring hotspots, and acting on information before crimes occur.
- Community Policing as a Foundation: Perhaps the most significant point underscored was that “crime thrives where communities are not actively engaged.” This statement acknowledges the fundamental limit of police resources and the indispensable role of public trust and collaboration. Effective community policing turns citizens into partners in observation and information sharing.
The report concludes with a dual call to action. Officers were reminded to protect police facilities and respond promptly to distress calls. Simultaneously, the public was urged to report suspicious persons and activities, reinforcing the shared responsibility for security. The data from Yobe is more than a scorecard; it is a narrative of ongoing effort, strategic adaptation, and the continuous challenge of maintaining public safety in a complex environment. The coming months will test the efficacy of the Command’s reinforced strategies, particularly around schools and the general crime prevention framework.
Source: NAN (Nigerian News Agency), Edited by Sandra Umeh. Additional context and analysis provided.
