By Augustine Ehikioya
Briefing journalists on the FCT Police Command’s most recent achievements, the Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, on Monday disclosed that twelve armed robbery and one chance suspects have been arrested.
While a total of five vehicles and fire arms were recovered, he said that N2.4 million naira cash was also recovered from the suspects.
This was contained in a copy of the speech made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
On the first case, the CP said “On 1st May, 2024, at about 3:00 pm, acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives of Apo Legislative Quarters, trailed and arrested two notorious car theft suspects, Anthony Chibuzor and his friend, Jonas Chikwe both males of Lagos State who have been on the wanted list of the Command and part of a notorious car theft syndicate terrorising FCT and its environs.
“Three vehicles to with the suspects gave no satisfactory account were recovered; A Toyota Camry with Reg No. Lagos 23, An Audi A4 with Reg No. KRD 349 JD and A Honda Accord Sports with Reg No. BDG 42 JC, some of which the Chassis No. had been altered by the suspects.”
Giving details of the second case, he said “On 7th April, 2024, at about 10:30 pm, Police operatives from Maitama Division, while on routine Patrol along Nicon Junction, heard a loud cry and swiftly mobilised to the location, where a victim of an armed robbery (one chance) incident, pushed out of a vehicle was found and dispossessed of all her belongings.”
In response to this, the CP said, the Police operative gave the hoodlums a hot chase forcing them to abandon their vehicle and took to their heels.
Information recovered from the vehicle, he said, led Police operatives to the arrest of four suspects, namely; Hamza Ibrahim, Mubarak Abubakar, Abubakar Suleiman and Mohammed Lawal.
The CP disclosed that the suspects, who freely confessed to the commission of the crime, will be charged to court soon.
Speaking on the third case, he said “On 12th May, 2024, at about 11:26 pm, following the report of one Mohammed Musa ‘m’ of Durumi that on the same date, one Kabiru Umar ‘m’ of the same address, broke into his Point of Sale (POS) shop and stole the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000), Police operatives of Durumi Division swiftly mobilised to the scene and arrested the suspect.”
Upon interrogation, he said, the suspect confessed to the crime and the sum of One Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira (N170, 000) was recovered from him.
According to him, the suspect will be arraigned in court soon.
Highlighting the fourth case, the CP said “On 15th April, 2024, at about 9:45 am, following a report by one Magaji Umar at Lugbe Division that on 14th April, 2024, he boarded a vehicle from Lugbe going to Area 1 when he was suddenly attacked by the two occupants in the moving vehicle and was forcefully made to path with the sum of Two million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N2,230,000) removed from his account. Subsequent investigation led Police operatives to the arrest of Peter Fateh, Esther Peter, James Ogbuh, Kabiru Buba, Kabir Abubakar”
The following exhibits, he said, were recovered from the suspects: the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira, A black coloured Toyota Corrola with Reg No. GWA 227 BG, A Golf 3 Salon car with Reg No. KWL 200 CF.
Other Items recovered, he said, included a silver coloured Toyota Camry without Reg No., two locally made cartridge rifles, one locally made pistol, one locally made rifle, ten live cartridges and six live ammunition.
Concluding, the CP said “I want to conclude by reassuring you that the FCT Police Command, under my leadership, will do all within our power to prevent crime and criminality in all of its forms and ensure the safety of all without fear or favour.
“This can be effectively achieved only with your (residents of FCT) utmost cooperation.” he added.
