The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 40 suspects in separate operations over alleged cases of traffic robbery, armed robbery, kidnapping and traffic offences across the territory.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday, August 19, during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.
Sanusi said the arrests followed a review of crime patterns in the FCT as part of efforts to tackle armed robbery, vehicle theft and other criminal activities.
According to him, 10 suspects were arrested for alleged traffic robbery, while 20 others were apprehended for various traffic offences, particularly driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way. The traffic offenders were subsequently charged to court.
The commissioner said the traffic robbery suspects were arrested following complaints about criminals allegedly posing as hawkers at congested roads and traffic stops to rob motorists and other road users.
On armed robbery, Sanusi said two suspects were arrested in connection with separate incidents in Nyanya and Kubwa.
He identified one of them as 32-year-old Ismail Tasiu, who was reportedly traced to a hotel in Jabi, where he was arrested alongside 35-year-old Adamu Aliyu, allegedly identified as a receiver of stolen property.
Police reportedly recovered five motorcycles, three knives, a number plate and a face cap bearing the inscription “Kaduna State Vigilante Service” from the suspects.
The CP also disclosed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of three residents of Nyanya. The victims were reportedly taken to New-Nyanya in Nasarawa State, where they were held hostage before police operatives arrested Godwin Afekhide and Aaron Ogbu in connection with the incident.
Sanusi said all three victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.
He further disclosed that six other suspects were arrested on July 28 by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit Team 1. Investigations reportedly showed that the gang specialised in breaking into homes at night, stealing valuables and stabbing victims.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would sustain operations against criminal elements across the FCT, promising to identify criminal hideouts, disrupt their networks, recover weapons and other instruments of crime, and bring suspects to justice.
He also urged residents to continue providing the police with credible information on suspicious individuals and activities within their communities.
