|By Adejumo Adekunle-
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has escalated its war against crime, capturing 300 suspects and seizing a vast cache of weapons, ammunition, and illegal substances. Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, revealed these results during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Abuja.
CP Disu detailed that the arrests and recoveries occurred between January 1 and February 28, 2025, following relentless intelligence-driven operations. He vowed to crush criminal activities, pledging that the Command would sustain aggressive raids on identified crime hotspots and criminal hideouts.
Specialized tactical teams stormed high-risk areas, including Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama. The teams also infiltrated border communities and villages infamous for kidnapping and banditry, executing coordinated clearance operations to flush out criminal elements.
In a decisive strike against kidnappers, officers invaded Gidan-Dogo village and combed Kweri Forest (FCT-Kaduna border), Gauraka Forest (FCT-Niger), and Sardauna Forest (FCT-Nasarawa). The raids culminated in the elimination of seven kidnappers, while others were subdued and taken into custody for interrogation.
The Command’s crackdown on armed robbery yielded swift results. Police captured 59 robbers and eliminated nine others during fierce encounters. CP Disu reassured residents that dismantling violent crime networks remains a paramount priority.
The operations netted a massive haul of deadly weapons. Police seized 18 AK-47 rifles, 23 AK-47 magazines, 2 CZ Scorpion A1 rifles, 9 English pistols, 7 pistol magazines, and 2 Dane guns. They also recovered 116 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 102 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and numerous locally crafted firearms.
Officers intercepted large quantities of illicit substances flooding the city. Confiscated items included 31 bottles of codeine syrup, multiple bags of dried marijuana, smaller packaged portions of the drug, and locally made bongs. Police also seized dozens of glue tubes, often inhaled as intoxicants by criminals.
In their battle against cult-related violence, operatives rounded up several cultists during targeted raids. The suspects are undergoing rigorous profiling, with those found guilty set to face swift prosecution, while the innocent will be released.
Additionally, police confiscated sharp weapons commonly used in street crimes — axes, cutlasses, daggers, and scissors. They also recovered ₦35,050 from suspects, alongside several cards of Rohypnol, a drug linked to crimes like robbery and sexual assault.
CP Disu praised the officers and tactical units for their courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and ensure no sanctuary for lawbreakers within the FCT.
He urged residents to stay vigilant and collaborate with security forces by promptly reporting suspicious activities. He promised thorough investigations for all arrested suspects, with those proven guilty facing the full force of the law.
In closing, CP Disu declared that the FCT Police Command would persist in its relentless pursuit of a crime-free capital. He called on residents to stand with the police, emphasizing that collective vigilance remains key to sustained security.
