By Augustine Ehikioya
Fighting crimes and criminality, the Commissioner of Police for FCT Command Abuja, CP Haruna G. Garba, has reeled out the achievements of the Command in the last one week.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, he said criminal suspects were arrested and recoveries also made. The briefing was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
He said “You are aware I did brief you on the 3rd of October, 2023; today I am here also to acquaint you with the Commands achievements in the last one week.
“I wish to assure you that the FCT Command under my leadership will do all that is humanly possible to prevent crime and criminality and when it does occur to detect it. With you (resident) of the FCT working together, we will defeat crime in the FCT.”
Reading out the recent successes recorded by the Police Command, he said “On 8/09/2023 following a distress call about some strange and suspicious movement around Zuba Fruit market, Police operatives from Zuba Division swiftly mobilised to the scene and arrested one Mukhtar Usman, who upon sighting the police operatives took to his heels, he was given a hot chase and apprehended by police operatives.
“During interrogation, suspect confessed to being a member of a 5-man gang and later led the police operatives to the arrest of two of his gang members namely; Abubakar Muhammed and Usman Mohammed in whose houses, two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and thirty five (35) rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.”
The suspects, he said, are cooperating with Police authority towards arresting the rest of the gang members.
Speaking on the second case, he said “On 11/10/2023 acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives from Byazhin Division, trailed and arrested one Chukwudi Ernest Ezirike, a wanted once chance kingpin terrorising Kubwa/Zuba express way.
“His operational vehicle, a golf 3 car with Reg. No. KWL 536 RZ blue in colour was recovered. He is assisting the Police to arrest his accomplice in the same one chance activities. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.”
The CP went on “In a related development, the command’s newly created Anti-One Chance Squad to curb the menace of robbery (one chance) activities within the FCT, ten (10) vehicles suspected to be used for one chance activities within the FCT.
“Most of the vehicles recovered have tinted glasses on them. During search, an axe, a cutlass, and one knife ostensibly for use in carrying out their criminal activities were recovered from the vehicles.”
He disclosed that the three (3) of the suspects arrested are still under investigation.
On the third case, he said “The Police operative from Utako Division while responding to a distress call had on 05/10/2023 and 10/10/2023 recovered two vehicles, a Toyota Hillux with Reg. No. 08E24LNS and a Toyota Corolla car, ash in colour Reg. No. KTU 243 BQ belonging to one Muhammed Usman and one Olumuyiwa Onlede.
“The vehicles were removed from where parked at No. 4YP Sounde Street, Utako and Nafisa Mosque Utako Abuja respectively. The two vehicles were recovered intact at Dei-Dei under bridge and Dikko Kaduna Road and handed over to the owners.”
On another clamp down on suspects dealing in dry leaves of Indian-Hemp, he said “On 10/10/2023 Police operatives on routine patrol arrested a 27 year old Thomson Lucky at Old Mpape quarters with thirteen (13) parcel of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. In the course of interrogation, suspect confessed to be a dealer of the Indian hemp. Investigation is ongoing to unearth the source of his supply. He will be arraigned in court as soon as this is done.”
He also disclosed that the FCT Police Command Anti-Kidnapping Unit on 11/09/2023 trailed and arrested a notorious kidnapper by name one Salisu Abdulahi AKA Gwaska.
“During the encounter, one of the gang member by name Baba Dan tsoho was shot dead by the Police, while others fled. Aside taking active part in kidnapping activities he is also an informant and food supplier to his master by name Badume.
“Badume is kidnap king pin who is responsible for kidnapping activities at Kaduna, Nasarawa States extending to Bwari and Mpape in the FCT.”
The CP said he is assisting the police in effort to arrest other gang members.
On 04/10/2023, he said, Police operatives from FCT Command acting on credible intelligence trailed and arrested four (4) suspects, Douglas Joseph Lafa, Omachoko Samuel, Job Teddy and David Simon all with three vehicles, a Toyota Camry 2013 model blue in colour, a Mazda 626 Primacy white in colour and a Toyota Sienna ash in colour, all unregistered vehicles stolen from Abuja and recovered in Kaduna.
The suspects, according to him, will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation.
He disclosed that the command has carried out series of raids at criminal hideouts, under bridges and uncompleted buildings in the FCT.
He said “The good, the bad & ugly are accommodated in the Federal Capital Territory. Those who have no businesses being in FCT, who have no Jobs, No visible means of livelihood troop into FCT. They have no place to lay their heads, hence sleeps in uncompleted buildings, shanties and under bridges
“These miscreants turned into criminals, breaking into people’s homes and carting away their properties. In an effort to flush these criminal elements out of FCT, the Command conducted raids at criminal hideouts, under bridges and uncompleted buildings.
“A total number of two thousand two hundred and seventy-two (2,272) suspects were arrested in the last two months. One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven (1,967) were charged to court, eight hundred and sixty-five (865) were sentence and given a fine of N3,000 – N5,000.
“Two hundred and Seven (207) scavengers were arrested, one hundred and ninety-six (196) were charged to court,” he said
Speaking on Male / Female organ disappearance, he said “The first case of male organ disappearance was first recorded in Gwagwalada on the 21/09/2023. It has spread all over FCT where by as of today we had a total of sixty-two (62) cases reported. Fifty-one (51) suspects charged to court for given false information and inciting public disturbance.
“To this end, I want to reiterate my commitment and willingness to always work with you (residents of FCT) to defeat crime in all its forms in the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.
