ABUJA POLICE ARREST 300 SUSPECTS IN RAID ON CRIME HOTSPOTS

Read Time:1 Minute, 34 Second

By: Muftau Fatimo

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested about 300 suspects during raids on crime-prone areas, shanties and uncompleted buildings across Abuja.

The operation, conducted on Saturday, September 19, was aimed at identifying and disrupting criminal activities in locations suspected to be hideouts for criminals.

The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the exercise was part of measures to prevent crime, disrupt criminal activities and improve the safety and security of residents.

According to the statement, the operation covered several locations and led to the raid of identified criminal hideouts, with about 300 persons taken into custody for screening.

Items recovered during the operation included knives, a toy gun, cannabis and other illicit drugs.

The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling. Those found to have committed offences will be charged to court in accordance with the law, while those with no case to answer will be released after the screening process.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, said the command would sustain intelligence-driven raids and other proactive policing measures across the territory.

He said particular attention would be given to locations identified through intelligence as potential criminal hideouts.

Sanusi also warned youths and other residents about the dangers of illicit drug use and abuse, noting that substance abuse could impair judgment, encourage violent or criminal behaviour and heighten security threats within communities.

The commissioner advised individuals facing drug-related challenges to seek counselling and rehabilitation services rather than allow substance abuse to lead them into criminal activities.

Sanusi further directed police officers to conduct raids and arrests professionally, warning that such operations must not be used to extort, intimidate or harass members of the public.

He added that any officer found demanding money or engaging in other forms of misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary measures.