- …arrest 160 suspects, rescue 32 victims in three months
Officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Friday thwarted an attempt by suspected armed robbers to transport vandalised electricity distribution armoured cables to buyers in Abuja.
The suspects, who had allegedly damaged several transformers and power installations, were conveying about 100 stolen cables in a tinted-glass vehicle when they encountered a police patrol team. In an attempt to evade arrest, the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
The occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled the scene, leaving the car behind. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the police discovered 131 vandalised electricity distribution cables suspected to be en route to receivers.
Briefing journalists on the incident in Abuja, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, said the recovery was part of sustained efforts by the command to tackle crime in the territory.
Dantawaye disclosed that since he assumed duty in October 2025, the command has arrested 160 criminal suspects for offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, and one-chance robbery to car theft, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and cyber-related fraud, among other violent crimes.
Dantawaye said, “During several high-risk operations, particularly anti-kidnapping and response to robbery operations, nine-armed suspects were neutralized following gun duels with police operatives while attempting to evade arrest or take away hostages.
He said, “A total of 300 cases were reported, leading to the arrest of 160 suspects across various categories of crime, adding that 41 kidnapping suspects were arrested following 7 kidnapping cases, which were recorded.
“Several kidnapping gangs operating within and around the FCT were disrupted through intelligence-led operations, forest combing exercises, and joint operations with sister security agencies. Sixty-two (62) armed robbery cases occurred during the time under review, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspects. These operations led to the dismantling of several armed robbery syndicates and the recovery of firearms and live ammunition.
“Twenty-six (26) “one-chance” robbery cases were recorded during the period, resulting in the arrest of 12 suspects after sustained surveillance, stop-and-search operations, and targeted raids.
“Thirty-five cases of car theft and vehicle snatching were recorded during the period, with 11 suspects arrested and 20 stolen vehicles recovered, comprising vehicles recovered from car theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, and ‘one-chance’ robbery operations, within and outside the FCT.”
Dantawaye further said 120 suspects were apprehended for crimes relating to homicide, cultism, drug-related offences, illegal possession of firearms, cyber-related fraud, and other violent crimes.
Given the update on the kidnapping incident in FCT, the CP said, “The Command successfully rescued 24 victims of kidnap, including women and children, from criminal hideouts and forest locations within and around the FCT.
“Victims of ‘one-chance’ robbery and other violent crimes numbering 8 were also rescued following prompt police interventions. In line with the Command’s commitment to due process and effective justice delivery, 96 suspects were charged in court during this period. Of these, 60 convictions were secured, while other cases remain at various stages of prosecution.
“The cases charged include kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, fraud-related offences, cultism, burglary, and other serious crimes.
“Disciplinary cases involving police personnel were also addressed through appropriate internal mechanisms in accordance with extant regulations.
“Fourteen (14) vehicles linked to car theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, and “one-chance” robbery cases were recovered both within and outside the FCT, while 12 counterfeit stamps and Counterfeit boarding tickets were recovered.
“Also, Cash recoveries were made from various criminal operations within the period, amounting to fifteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira (N15,450,000) only, including proceeds of kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, and other crimes.”
The police boss further said significant firearms and other exhibits recovered during the period include: 21 AK-47 rifles, 10 shotguns, one K2 rifle, 37 locally made pistols, 31 locally fabricated firearms, 4 Magazines, 13 knives, 7 cutlasses, 2 long scaffold rods, and 7 phones.
Others are 86 bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, 4 digital scales, 131 armoured cables hidden in a tinted glass vehicle, a hand saw and an iron bar, 3 ATM cards, 2 ID cards, a large quantity of illicit drugs and substances, and 193 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres.
Other exhibits recovered include communication devices, motorcycles, dangerous weapons, and other items linked to criminal activities.
On Police officers who lost their lives during the period, the FCT Police boss said, “It is with deep respect that the Command records that 6 police officers paid the supreme price in the line of duty during the period under review. Their sacrifices remain a solemn reminder of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives and property. May their souls rest in peace.
“Building on the operational gains recorded since my assumption of duty, FCT Police Command will continue to intensify community policing engagements, deepen intelligence-led policing strategies, sustain targeted clearance operations, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and expand public enlightenment initiatives to address evolving security challenges within the FCT.”
He hailed the Inspector – General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for his strategic guidance, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his continuous support, residents of the Federal Capital Territory, sister security agencies, vigilante groups, and community policing stakeholders for their support and cooperation during the period.
The CP urged all to continue to give police relevant information to better police the nation’s capital.