The Katsina State Police Command has arrested 20 persons for alleged rape and other offenses as part of efforts to reduce crime in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, made the disclosure during a press conference at the Command Headquarters in Katsina. The briefing was presented by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu.
According to the police, a total of 123 cases were reported during the period under review. Of these, 108 cases have already been brought to court and 15 are still under investigation.
DSP Aliyu said the suspects arrested for rape and unnatural offenses were among many others detained during a broader crackdown on crime across the state.
He added that police also arrested 22 suspects for armed robbery, seven for manslaughter, four for trafficking counterfeit currency and 10 for possession of illegal drugs.
The police spokesperson said the Command also recovered several dangerous items during its operations. These included three AK-47 rifles, more than 200 rounds of live ammunition, four vehicles, 32 animals suspected of theft, large quantities of illegal drugs and destroyed electrical cables.
DSP Aliyu said the arrests, especially those related to sexual offences, show the police’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of women, children and other vulnerable people in the state.