POLICE RECOVER 21 STOLEN VEHICLES, ARREST OVER 1,600 SUSPECTS IN FCT
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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command announced the arrest of 1,611 suspects in April for various criminal offences, including drug trafficking.
In a statement during a press briefing on Friday at the Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, disclosed that operatives also recovered 21 stolen vehicles and seized a range of other items linked to criminal activities.
Recovered items include large quantities of codeine and Tramadol tablets, 10 iPads/tablets, 14 laptops, 19 power banks, two generators, 10 POS machines, 15 motorcycles, 109 ATM cards, 225 tablets of Exol, 52 tablets of Diazepam, one axe, three scissors, one crusher, and 149 mobile phones.
Adewale said the surge in car theft and drug-related crimes across the FCT triggered intensified intelligence-driven operations and targeted raids in known hotspots.
Ajao added that 15 suspects were arrested in connection with car theft, noting that six of the recovered vehicles have already been returned to their verified owners, while the remaining thirteen were displayed during the briefing.
“In one case, a Toyota Camry, popularly known as “pencil light,” was intercepted around the Central Area after it was found to be driven suspiciously by one Hassan Bukar, who attempted to evade arrest before being apprehended. Investigations revealed the car had been stolen from the premises of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission.
“The suspect confessed to planning to sell the vehicle to a regular buyer in Kaduna State and was found in possession of master keys used for stealing cars.
“In another incident, a man identified as Daniel James reported that his Toyota Camry 2011, handed to a mechanic for repairs, had gone missing. Detectives traced the vehicle to a buyer in Gwarinpa and arrested the intermediary, while the mechanic, Abdulazeez Auwal Salisu, remains at large.”
Also, a government-issued Hilux van was recovered in Kaduna after it was taken without permission by an official driver, Abubakar Sadio, who intended to sell it. Another unregistered Hilux was also found in his possession, ” the CP added.
He also said five suspects were arrested in Life Camp for attempting to sell a black Mercedes Benz 4Matic E-400 that had been stolen from its original owner in Lekki, Lagos.
“The suspects were apprehended after a potential buyer raised suspicions and alerted the police.
“Perhaps the most extensive operation took place between April 30 and May 1, when a combined team of police operatives, soldiers, vigilantes, and other security agents raided several known criminal hideouts across the FCT.
“A total of 1,488 suspects were arrested during the raids, and a wide range of items were recovered, including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, codeine, laptops, mobile phones, motorcycles, ATM cards, and other suspected stolen property, ” Ajao stated.
Adewale reiterated the Command’s commitment to making Abuja safer and called on residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely and useful information. He assured the public that all suspects currently in custody would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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