Abuja residents on edge over crimes as Police report counter measures and successes

Following a rash of kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities that have residents of Abuja on edge, the Abuja Police Commissioner has been reporting the successes of his men to curb the fearful menace in the country’s seat of power.
Last week, a journalist was intercepted and abducted, smack in the middle of the Federal Capital City (FCC). Investigations and efforts are on to secure his release.
In other parts of the city and territory, there are alleged to be an upsurge in criminal activities, but CP Bala Ciroma
Commissioner of Police,FCT Command, seems to suggest his men are up to the task as residents express fears that the once serene territory has security challenges.
Below is a summary of the activities of the Police, according to Ciroma:
In furtherance of our commitment to protect lives and property and combat crime in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Police Command has not rested on its oars in ensuring that it delivers quality service to FCT residents.
I want to reassure FCT residents that the Command will continue to be proactive in its fight against crime by deploying crime fighting strategies that will satisfy the security yearning of the residents.
Below are some notable achievements of the Command:-
RESCUE OF KIDNAP VICTIM/ARREST OF SUSPECTS
On 16th March, 2019 the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of this Command recorded a major feat with the rescue of two children of the same parent, Rejoice Godwin 7 years old and Seke Godwin 9 years old who were abducted on 8th March, 2019 from Yimi village in Zuba. The victims were rescued at Lambata in Niger State were they were held hostage by their abductors. The following suspects were arrested in the process of rescuing the victims: Nasiru Mohammed ‘m’ 20 years old, Sale Bello ‘m’ 19 years old and Hassan Audu ‘m’ 20 years old. Two dane guns were recovered from the suspects at the point of the arrest. Effort is being intensified to arrest the leader of the gang who at large.
FOILED ARMED ROBBERY OPERATION/
DEATH OF SUSPECT
On 27th March, 2019 at about 2200hrs a good Samaritan who sighted some hoodlums struggling with the driver of a black Mercedez Benz 350 around the Central Business District (CBD) alerted a Policeman on guard duty at the area who was patriotic and joined him to give the hoodlums a hot chase. Police operatives mobilised through the Command Control Room to respond to the distress call engaged the hoodlums in fierce exchange of gun fire around the National Energy Commission. As a result of the superior gun power of the police operatives, one of the hoodlums was gunned down and was later confirmed dead at National Hospital where he was rushed for medical attention. The victim was also rescued unhurt. Meanwhile, the Command has launched massive manhunt for the two suspects who escaped the scene with bullet wounds. Investigation is ongoing.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS/ RECOVERY OF FIREARMS
On 3rd March, 2019 at about 0530hrs following discreet investigation, Police operatives arrested five armed robbery suspects who robbed an apartment at Suncity Estate, Galadimawa at about 0200hrs of the same day. While one of the suspects was arrested by eagle eyed police operatives on duty at Galadimawa round about, his cohorts were later arrested in their hide out. The suspects arrested are: one Ayuba Isaac ‘m’ 22 years old, Philemon Yohanna ‘m’ 28 years old, Johnson Moses ‘m’ 28 years old, Oduola Dayo ’m’ 28 years old and Paul Philip ‘m’ 22 years old. The exhibits recovered from them are: two (2) locally made pistols, nine (9) rounds of live cartridges, one (1) cutter, one (1) iPhone and the cash sum of ninety one thousand naira (N91,000). The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT/ RECOVERY OF FIRE ARM
On 19th March, 2019 at about 1520hrs following a discreet investigation, Police operatives arrested one Luka Bawa ‘m’ 25 years old in connection with a robbery operation that was carried out at a plaza in Wuse axis on 8th March, 2019 at about 0230hrs. Sequel to his arrest, the suspect led the team of investigators to the recovery of the following exhibits: one (1) locally made pistol, one (1) giant hammer, one (1) iron cutter, one (1) iron bar and two (2) phones. Effort is being intensified to arrest other members of gang who are currently at large.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS/ RECOVERY OF FIREARMS
Following an ongoing investigation, Police detectives attached to the Command have arrested four members of an armed robbery gang that stormed a hotel at Gwarinpa 3rd Avenue on 10th March, 2019 and carted away some Plasma Television sets, phones and one laptop. The suspects arrested are Moses Aiwaegbe ‘m’ 27 years, Kelvin Nduibisi ‘m’ 23 years, Moses David ‘m’ 21 years and one Rosemary Udenyi ‘F’ 28 years a staff of the hotel and mastermind of the robbery operation. The following exhibits have been recovered from the suspects: one (1) locally made pistol, one (1) live cartridge, four (4) plasma television, one (1) laptop and one (1) phone. The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS/ RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
In a proactive operation, based on a tip off, Police detectives from the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested one Daniel Imonsemi ‘m’ 29 years old and Chukwuema Eke ‘m’ 25 years old at their hideout in Kagini where they were planning a robbery operation. Following their arrest, the following exhibits were recovered from the suspects: one (1) locally made revolver pistol, two (2) live ammunitions, one (1) dagger, one (1) thunder arrestor and charms. Investigation is on-going.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS/ RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
On 13th March, 2019 Police operatives attached to the Command arrested three (3) members of an armed robbery gang that robbed a house at Dakwa on 17th December, 2018 and carted away some valuables. The suspects, Abdullahi Ibrahim ‘m’ 26years old, Aliyusif Mohammed ‘m’ 18 years old and Usman Yerima ‘m’ 27 years old were arrested at their respective hideouts following a discreet investigation. The exhibits recovered from the suspects include: two (2) Cutlasses, two (2) axes and one of the victims’ phones. Effort is being intensified to recover the robbed items and arrest other members of the gang who are at large.
ARREST OF SUSPECTS / RECOVERY OF STOLEN MOTORCYCLES
On 19th March, 2019 acting on tip off Police operatives arrested one Shamsu Akilu ‘m’ 21 years old and Salisu Adamu ‘m’ 27 years old for attacking motorcyclists and robbing them of their motorcycles. The suspects who operate around Apo and Kabusa axis often attack their victims with dangerous weapons. Also arrested, is one Dahiru Umar ‘m’ 35 years who has been identified by the suspects as the receiver of the robbed motorcycles. Five robbed motorcycles have been recovered from the suspects. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
ARREST OF CAR THIEVES/ RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
On 25th March, 2019 following a tip off, Police operatives arrested one Mamuda Mustapha ‘m’ 22 years old and Olumide Jeremiah ‘m’ 30 years old at Karu Site while trying to sale a Toyota Hilander jeep that was stolen by the suspects from where it was parked at Jikwoyi. The golden colour Toyota Hilander with registration number KWL 504 NM has been recovered from the suspects as exhibit. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS/ RECOVERY OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS
On 15th March, 2019 at about 1800hrs acting on report police operatives arrested one Abdulmajid Masaudu ‘m’ 24 years old, Abubakar Mohammed ‘m’ 21 years old, Idris Yahaya ‘m’ 20 years and Abdullahi Musa ‘m’ 20 years for attacking and robbing one Ismaila Adamu at his Kuchigoro residence. The following exhibits used by the suspects for the robbery operation have been recovered: one (1) cutlass, three (3) knife. Meanwhile, effort is being intensified to recover the victim’s property that were robbed by the suspects. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
ARREST OF PHONE SNATCHER/ RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
One Sefiu Shuaibu ‘m’ 21 years old was arrested by Police operatives for using dangerous weapons to rob phones and other valuables from his victims. The suspect who operates around Jabi Masalaci axis attacked one of his victims on 12th March, 2019 and robbed her of some cash and phone. One (1) Dagger and an infinix phone have been recovered from the suspect as exhibits. He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
ARREST OF SUSPECT/RECOVERY INDIAN HEMP
On 9th March, 2019 acting on tip off police operatives from the Command Anti Narcotic squad in collaboration with Kwali Police Division intercepted and arrested one Ibrahim Abubakar ‘m’ 26 years old at Sheda, Kwali Area Council with eighteen (18) bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp carefully concealed in a truck transporting cartons of assorted wines to Jos, Plateau State. According to the suspect who is also the truck driver, the bags of Indian hemp recovered from his truck was conveyed from Akure, Ondo State for delivery at Jos, Plateau State. Effort is being intensified to arrest his cohorts who are now at large. The suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
As part of effort to rid FCT of illicit drugs, the Command has intensified its raid of blackspots notorious for drug peddling. On 12th and 15th March, 2019 Police operatives from the Command arrested six (6) suspects at Angwan Lado Kuje Area Council for drug peddling. The suspects arrested in possession of the illicit substance are: Adamu Usman ‘m’ 19 years, Monday Dogara ‘m’ 18 years, Musa Masaudu ‘m’ 18 years, Hassan Farouk ‘m’ 20 years Boma Sam ‘m’ 22 years and Yunusa Yusuf ‘m’ 22 years. The substances recovered from the suspects are: packs of Dizapan Tablets, packs of AXL tablets and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
ARREST OF SUSPECTS/ RECOVERY OF EXPLOSIVES
On 17th March, 2019 at about 2130 hrs Police operatives on stop and search along Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Express way arrested one Murtala Ibrahim ‘m’, in a black VolksWagen Golf 3 car with registration number KMC 610 XM loaded with 32 super power explosives. The driver of the vehicle claimed he was given the explosives to deliver to a named person at Uke, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State.
Investigation reveal other persons in the vehicle were passengers who boarded the vehicle innocently not knowing the nature of goods being conveyed by the driver.
ARREST OF FRAUDSTER
On 27th March, 2019 at about 1800hrs based a complaint one Uche Christian Cyril ‘m’ 40 years old was arrested by Police operatives at Zango village for posing as a foreigner to defraud his victim of cash (foreign and local currencies) and jewelleries. The suspect is a member of a notorious 419 syndicate that specialises in defrauding their victims, especially domestic staff working with rich persons. Efforts is being intensified to arrest other members of the gang.
NEW APPROACH
The build up to the 2019 election and the election itself took quite a lot of man-hours that was usually deployed to curtail crime within the FCT. We are happy that the elections, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, have come and gone.
Manpower employed to ensure this success of the election will now be ploughed into crime fighting. Essentially a return to status quo.
Our aim is sustain the known character of Abuja as being the home of peace and security in the country. This, we hope to achieve by complete deployment of manpower recovered after the election. And also review our crime fighting strategies improved visibility, vehicular and foot patrols, intensive raids of criminals hide outs. Etc.