By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Kwara State Police Command at the weekend said it apprehended 275 criminal suspects across the state in the last one year.

It added that the suspects included those behind the kidnap of four Turkish nationals, who were rescued alive.

Police Commissioner Kayode Egbetokun, who spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during the command’s end of the year dinner and award night, said: “My dogged officers arrested 275 armed robbery and kidnap suspects in the last year alone with over 45 arms recovered from them. Although, some of those criminals committed the offences outside Kwara, and ran down here with the belief that it would be a hideout for them, they were eventually apprehended.”

He urged officers and men of the command on the importance of sustaining the peaceful atmosphere they had set in the state, as a result of their commitment to duties.

Egbetokun said: “Kwara is one of the most peaceful states in the country and it is due to the level of commitment of security personnel.”

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He advised officers to be more committed to duties and look beyond lack of commensurate appreciation from citizens.

“It is no secret that the police force gets more derision than praise for the effort it puts into providing peace and security for citizens in the most challenging environment and circumstances. But if not anyone else, we must appreciate ourselves for the fact that the state we are policing is peaceful,” Egbetokun said.

The command recognised some outstanding officers who performed excellently in the year past.

The commissioner said: “The recognised officers have been selected through a rigorous and objective process and it is our hope that their awards will be a source of motivation and inspiration for them to do more this year and as well serve as a challenge to others.”