Tag: Police

…FCT command arrests over 1000 suspects in kidnapping, robbery, others

…recovers over N409 million from kidnappers, others  

Between January and December 2024, 140 police officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lost their lives while on active duty, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that the command handled 1,426 reported cases during the year. 

The cases led to the arrest of 1,077 suspects involved in crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, “one chance” operations, cybercrime, homicide, burglary, fraud, cultism, police misconduct, and car theft.

In the statement titled FCT Police Command 2024 Scorecard, Adeh highlighted that 376 firearms, including 13 AK-47 magazines and 187 rounds of live ammunition, were recovered as part of the command’s operations.

The command she said recovered over N409 million from suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, one chance, cybercrime, homicide, burglary and cultism.

She said: “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located at the heart of the Federation and bordered by Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, serves as the political and business hub of Nigeria. Its unique position attracts diverse individuals, including those with both legitimate and illegitimate intentions. At the start of 2024, the FCT faced significant security challenges across its six area councils, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, car theft, “one-chance” robbery, illegal possession and use of firearms, homicides, and other violent crimes.

“In alignment with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, the FCT Police Command conducted a thorough analysis of the security situation, carried out crime-mapping, identified crime hotspots, and implemented an action plan with the following strategies:

• Robust community policing engagements.

• Sustained targeted clearance operations.

• Intelligence-led and visibility policing.

• Collaboration with sister security agencies. • Strategic communication, public enlightenment, and sensitization.

Read Also: Kano police arrest 2,425 suspects in 2024

“Achievements (January–December 2024). During the year under review, a total of 1,426 cases were reported, leading to the arrest of 1,077 suspects.

“ARRESTS: Kidnapping: 104 cases reported; 216 suspects arrested.

• Armed Robbery: 268 cases reported; 132 suspects arrested.

• “One-Chance” Robbery: 263 cases reported; 71 suspects arrested.

• Cybercrime: 32 cases reported; 15 suspects arrested.

• Homicide: 68 cases reported; 78 suspects arrested.

• Burglary: 73 cases reported; 20 suspects arrested.

• Fraud: 385 cases reported; 422 suspects arrested.

• Cultism: 38 cases reported; 59 suspects arrested.

• Police Misconduct: 68 cases reported to the Command’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU).

• Car Theft: 127 cases reported; 64 suspects arrested.

“RESCUES:

• Kidnapping Victims Rescued: 68.

• “One-Chance” Robbery Victims Rescued: 19.

“CASES CHARGED TO COURT AND CONVICTIONS:

• Kidnapping: 38 suspects charged; 21 convicted.

• “One-Chance” Robbery: 16 suspects charged; 11 convicted.

• Homicide: 32 suspects charged; 8 convicted.

• Fraud: 178 suspects charged; 58 convicted.

• Cultism: 19 suspects charged; 11 convicted.

• Burglary: 26 suspects charged; 8 convicted.

• Police Misconduct: 58 suspects charged; no convictions recorded.

• Car Theft: 21 suspects charged; 11 convicted.

“RECOVERIES:

• Firearms: 376, including 13 AK-47 magazines and 187 rounds of live ammunition.

• Cash Recovered:

• ₦36,850,000 from kidnapping suspects.

• ₦68,552,000 from armed robbery suspects.

• ₦19,590,000 from burglary cases.

• ₦285,000,000 from fraud cases.

• Grand Total: ₦409,992,000.

• Vehicles Recovered:

• 73 from car theft cases.

• 24 from “one-chance” robbery cases.

• 2 from cultism cases.

From the above statistics, a 15.1% reduction in crime incidents within the FCT was recorded between 2023 and 2024. POLICE OFFICERS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY/ACTIVE SERVICE: 140 officers”.

On plans for 2025, Adeh said the police is focusing on building on the successes of 2024: “the Command will intensify: • Community policing engagements.

• Intelligence-led policing strategies. • Targeted clearance operations.

• Public enlightenment initiatives to address the evolving security demands of the FCT.

“The Command extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, residents, sister security agencies, the media, members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), vigilante groups, and community policing stakeholders for their unwavering support and cooperation.

“With a significant reduction in crime rates and a stable, peaceful atmosphere in the FCT, the Command is committed to sustaining the momentum in combating criminal activities.

“Emergency Contact:

Residents are encouraged to report emergencies via the following numbers:

• 08061581938

• 08032003913

• 08028940883

• 07057337653. Complaint Response Unit: 08107314192

Public Complaint Bureau: 09022222352″.

Kano state police command on Tuesday said it arrested a total of 2,425 criminal suspects from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

Also, in the same year, 40 human trafficking victims, 13 kidnapping victims and two abduction victims were rescued by the police in Kano.

Among the suspects were 189 armed robbers, 34 kidnappers, 10 cattle rustlers, two gun runners, 22 motor vehicle thieves and 58 drug dealers.

Other suspects included 18 human traffickers, 46 tricycle thieves, 28 motorcycle thieves, 27 fraudsters, 1,987 thugs (Yan Daba) and four suspects for forgery.

Police Commissioner, Salman Dogo Garba, in his end of year briefing at the command’s headquarters, Bompai, said during the same period, seven AK-47 rifles, a Baretta pistol, a Pump Action rifle, four Dane guns, seven locally made guns and four toy guns and 1,213 live ammunition, 57 cutlasses and 198 sharp knives.

Read Also: FCT commissioner of police decorates three newly promoted ACPs

Other recovered items included 12 motor vehicles, 44 motorcycles, 15 tricycles, cash sum of N48.9 million and counterfeit currencies equivalent to N129.5 billion.

Others included 538 bottles of Bacardin syrup, 301 parcels, 175 wraps of dried Indian hemp leaves, 140 sachets, 250 pieces of Diazepam tablets, 307 sachets of Pregabalin tablets and 22 sachets of Tramadol tablets.

Other recoveries included four sacks, 2,996 pieces of Exol tablets, 104 packets, 944 pieces of Red Solution and 105 pieces of Potwin Injections.

The police also recovered 59 cattle, 308 sheep, 34 solar batteries, 10 sliding windows and two iron doors, five gas cylinders, three submersible borehole pumps, 415 mobile phones, 65 ATM cards and 35 Sim cards as well as 67 silver rings.

“At the beginning of the year, there were security challenges across the 44 local government areas of the State, including threat of infiltration of bandits, kidnapping and armed robbery along the villages in 17 local government areas of the States bordering Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Bauchi States.

“Resurgence of thuggery activities. Drug abuse and other violent crimes within the eight local government areas in Kano metropolis, and also reports of farmers and herders clashes in 19 local government areas that are neither at the border, nor the metropolis.

“The strategy in place is now yielding positive results and will not only be sustained, but will be improved upon in 2025,” CP Garba said.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended four minors for allegedly stealing iron rods from an uncompleted building in the Guzape area of Abuja.

The suspects, identified as Matthew Vincent (15), Timothy Shedrack (15), Moses Vincent (11), and Lucky Enock, were arrested after a complaint was filed at the Guzape Police Station.

Residents had reported unusual activity at the construction site, where the minors were seen entering the building at night. 

Witnesses recalled hearing loud noises and noticing quick movements as the suspects dismantled parts of the structure.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the minors scaled the fence to gain access and used crude tools to extract the iron rods, which they allegedly sold to a local scrap dealer known as “Babanbola.”

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, efforts are underway to locate Babanbola, who is believed to be involved in a broader network facilitating the theft and sale of construction materials in the area.

Adeh said the incident highlights the growing concern of juvenile delinquency in the Federal Capital Territory.

Read Also: Police warn against misuse of name, office of IGP

She said the Commissioner of Police FCT, Olatunji Disu, has urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities, especially during late hours.

He emphasized the importance of providing guidance to prevent criminal behaviour.

“Community members are encouraged to report suspicious activities promptly and support initiatives aimed at creating safer environments.

“Business owners and scrap dealers are advised to verify the sources of materials before purchase and to report anyone attempting to sell stolen goods. Construction site owners should enhance security measures, including deploying guards and installing surveillance systems.

“The police remain committed to maintaining law and order across the territory. The minors will be moved to juvenile homes for rehabilitation, and those found culpable will face legal consequences.

“This incident serves as a reminder of the need for community vigilance and proactive measures to deter juvenile crime”, she added.

• …recover firearms, ammunition

Police Rescue 13 Kidnap Victims in Lagos and Kwara

In the past week, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) successfully rescued 13 individuals who had been abducted and held for ransom in Lagos and Kwara states.

The operation underscored the police’s commitment to combating kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities nationwide.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relation Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “In a determined effort to sustain the fight against  kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality across the country, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have further intensified and reinvigorated their strategies, resulting in the successful rescue of numerous victims and the apprehension of several suspects. 

“Over the past week, coordinated operations were conducted in various states, including Lagos and Kwara States, leading to  the rescue of 13 individuals who had earlier been kidnapped and held for ransom, and the arrest of several armed robbery suspects.

“On the 27th of December 2024, Police operatives attached to the Kwara State Command mobilized and stormed a den of kidnappers in the Idofin-Igbana area of the state, after receiving a distress call of the abduction of 13 persons. The operatives encountered resistance from the kidnappers but successfully overpowered the kidnappers, causing them to flee the scene with various degrees of injuries and leading to the successful rescue of the 13 kidnapped victims.

“Similarly, on the 28th of December 2024, following a report of a public disturbance at Pinnacle Depot, Lekki, Police operatives attached to the Lagos State Command visited the scene and accosted two individuals identified as Lawan Mustapha ‘m’ 38 years, and Aina Daniel ‘m’ 38 years. A thorough search was carried out, resulting in the recovery of one double-barrel rifle, 90 live cartridges, and five model rifles.

Read Also: Police, local hunters rescue 13 abductees in Kwara

“The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and possible  prosecution. Furthermore, on the same day, at about 12:45 PM, Police operatives of the Lagos State Command arrested 3 suspected armed robbers at GRA Ikeja. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 1 locally made pistol, 4 live cartridges, and 2 cutlasses. These suspects are likewise in custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigations”.

He said the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated the Force’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

Egbetokun said the Force will continue its operations, leveraging all available resources to eradicate these heinous crimes from our society.

He said the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to create a safer environment for all Nigerians.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Saturday raised an alarm over what it described as fraudulent use of the name and office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, to perpetrate illegal acts.

The NPF also expressed concern about the persistent unprofessional conduct of a few police officers which undermines the standards and reputation of the Force.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “Despite repeated warnings and disciplinary actions taken against those who have been exposed, some officers are still engaging in these shameful acts that erode public trust.

Read Also: Police warn against misuse of name, office of IGP

“Even more alarming is the fraudulent use of the name and office of the Inspector-General of Police to perpetrate these illegal acts. The intention behind this tactic is to intimidate victims into believing that the IGP is aware, and approves of their illegal activities.

“As a result, victims are often deterred from reporting these incidents to higher authorities. We urge members of the public to report any misconduct by Police Officers to their superiors, the Heads of the Complaint Response Units (CRU) in their states or the Commissioner of Police in the state.