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Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu a Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command in a media briefing reeled out the command's achievements in its fight against crime and criminality within the Federal Capital Territory.
He said that in sustaining the effort to rid Abuja of crime and criminal elements, the Command has intensified its operations by carrying out a series of high-impact raids from January 1st to February 28th, 2025. That different decisive actions were involved which was driven by intelligence and executed with tactical precision which led to the arrest of 300 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.
Below are some of the methods the command use that led to the achievements
TARGETED RAID AND CLEARANCE OPERATIONS
Demonstrating unwavering commitment to the safety of residents, the Command deployed specialized tactical teams to raid identified criminal hideouts and black spots across Abuja. These operations covered high-risk areas, including:
• Dei-Dei
• Karu
• Gwarinpa
• Jikwoyi
• Karimo
• Maitama
• Anti-kidnapping clearance operations in villages and communities bordering Abuja.
Recognizing the evolving tactics of criminal elements, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Teams also conducted targeted raids on isolated locations where criminals often lay in wait for unsuspecting victims. Additionally, abandoned buildings across the city which were frequently used as hideouts and bases for planning illicit activities, have been identified and will be subject to continuous monitoring and raids.
ANTI-KIDNAPPING CLEARANCE OPERATIONS
In a decisive move against banditry and kidnapping, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command conducted clearance operations in known bandit routes and kidnappers’ hideouts at the following locations:
1. Abuja-Kaduna Border: Raid operations were conducted at Gidan-Dogo village and Kweri Forest.
2. Abuja-Niger Forest: Clearance operations were executed at Gauraka Forest.
3. Abuja-Nasarawa Forest: Raid operations were launched at Sardauna Forest.
During these special operations, seven kidnappers were neutralized, while several others were arrested. These proactive measures have significantly disrupted the activities of criminal elements operating along these notorious corridors.
ARRESTS AND RECOVERIES
Disu elaborated that as a result of these sustained efforts, 300 suspects were apprehended and are currently undergoing thorough profiling and screening. Those found culpable will be charged to court, ensuring that justice is served, while those cleared of wrongdoing will be duly released.
• Total number of armed robbers arrested: 59
• Total number of kidnappers and informants arrested: 10
• Total number of armed robbers neutralized: 9
• Total number of kidnappers neutralized: 7
• Total number of cultists arrested: 16
The forgoing operations also to the recovery of dangerous weapons and illicit substances, including:
1. Eighteen (18) AK-47 rifles
2. Twenty-three (23) AK-47 Magazines
3. Two (2) CZ scorpion A1 Rifles with Magazines
4. Nine (9) English pistols
5. Seven (7) Pistol Magazines
6. Two (2) Dane guns
7. One hundred and sixteen (116) rounds of 7.62mm live
ammunition
8. One hundred and two (102) rounds of .9mm live ammunition
9. Seven (7) live cartridges and one (1) expended cartridge shell
10. Seven (7) locally made pistols
11. Four (4) locally made shotguns
12. Three (3) axes
13. Four (4) cutlasses
14. Fifteen (15) daggers
15. Nine (9) pairs of scissors
16. Thirty-one (31) bottles of codeine syrup
17. Several small packages containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana
18. Large quantities of small glue tubes (inhaled as intoxicants)
19. Large bags containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana
20. Several locally made bongs
21. Cash sum of twenty-eight thousand, fifty naira (N35,050)
22. Several cards of Rohypnol
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY
The Abuja Police Boss and his officers remains resolute in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety. These operations are part of a broader strategy to ensure that criminals have no hiding place within the Abuja. He then commends the officers and tactical teams involved for their professionalism, bravery, and dedication to duty.
He then commend the officers at Apo Police Divisional Headquarters for ensuring crime free environment by been prompt in responding to distress calls from Apo residents then urged other to do the same.
Disu urged Abuja residents to continue to support the police by providing timely information and reporting suspicious activities. Then assures the public that all suspects in custody will be thoroughly investigated and duly prosecuted.
In the same vein, Mr. Uchenna Igwebuike a Chief Superintendent of Police, the Apo Police Divisional Headquarters appreciated the Federal Capital Territory Police Command police commissioner for giving them the opportunity to serve the division better then also commend Mrs. Bekee Joy a Chief Superintendent of Police, the Apo Divisional Crime Officer, Inspector Joseph Ismail Woru the Apo Station Officer and Inspector Bulus Jidai for his promptness to crime scene and responding to distress calls from Apo residents.
