Police neutralise 16, arrest 300 over criminal offences in FCT
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has reported the neutralisation of 16 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, alongside the arrest of 300 individuals in connection with various criminal offences over the past two months.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police (CP) for the FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, stated that all 300 suspects were undergoing profiling and screening, and those found guilty of criminal activities would face prosecution.
According to Disu, among the 300 suspects arrested: 59 were linked to armed robbery, 10 were involved in kidnapping or acted as informants, 16 were identified as cultists, Nine were neutralised during armed robbery operations, Seven were neutralised in connection with kidnapping.
The arrests and neutralisations were carried out during targeted operations and raids led by officers of the FCT Police Command.
Disu explained that the operations were part of proactive measures to curb criminal activities in high-risk areas across the FCT.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command conducted extensive clearance operations in known bandit routes and kidnappers’ hideouts within the territory.
Key locations raided included: Gidan-Dogo village and Kweri Forest (FCT-Kaduna border), Gauraka Forest (FCT-Niger border), Sardauna Forest (FCT-Nasarawa border).
The police also deployed tactical units to raid identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the FCT, including: Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, Maitama.
Further anti-kidnapping operations were carried out in villages and communities bordering the FCT.
Disu noted that as criminal tactics evolve, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Tactical Teams had also been conducting targeted raids on isolated locations where criminals often ambush unsuspecting victims.
He added that abandoned buildings frequently used as hideouts for criminal activities had been identified and placed under constant surveillance and raids.
The police operations also led to the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition, including: 18 AK-47 rifles, 23 AK-47 magazines, Two CZ Scorpion A1 rifles with magazines, Nine English pistols, Seven pistol magazines, Two Dane guns, 116 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 102 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, Seven live cartridges and one expended cartridge shell, Seven locally made pistols, Four locally made shotguns.
The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
