Tag: Police

Officers attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command, on Friday prevented attempts by armed robbers who had vandalised several transformers and electricity distribution armored cables in Abuja to transport 100 of such cables to their buyers with a tinted-glassed vehicle.

The vehicle conveying the stolen cables had an accident after the driver sighted a Police patrol team.

Following the accident and escape of the occupants of the vehicle, the Police patrol team approached the vehicle, only to discover 131 vandalised electricity distribution cables inside, suspected of being moved to receivers.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, who briefed reporters on the development in Abuja said since his assumption of duty in October 2025, the Police command has arrested 160 criminal elements.

Their crimes, he said, related to armed robbery, kidnapping, one-chance robbery, car theft, cultism, illegal possession of fire-arms, cyber-related fraud, and other violent crimes.

Dantawaye said; “During several high-risk operations, particularly anti-kidnapping and response to robbery operations, nine-armed suspects were neutralised following gun duels with police operatives while attempting to evade arrest or take away hostages.

He said: “A total of 300 cases was 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 were reported during the time under review, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspects. These operations led to the dismantling of several armed robbery syndicates and 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.

Giving update on kidnapping incidents in the 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.

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“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 to 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 recorded 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, 131Armored cables hidden in a tinted glass vehicle, Hand saw and iron bar, 3 ATM cards, 2 ID cards, large quantity of illicit drugs and substances, 193 rounds of live ammunition of various calibers.

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.”

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. 

• …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. 

A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Isah Abdullahi, also known as Kunkuri, attached to MOPOL 12 in Minna, has shot himself dead in the armoury he supervised.

The suicide followed allegations linking Abdullahi to the supply of firearms and ammunition to bandits and criminals in Niger state.

Sources say the matter came to light during a routine audit of MOPOL 12’s armoury by Abuja-based detectives, which revealed 13 missing AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

Investigation led to the arrest of Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House, who allegedly confessed that Abdullahi supplied him with weapons to be delivered to bandits in Erena, Shiroro Local Government Area.

Further inquiries named a middleman connected to criminal networks in the state.

During a physical audit at the armoury, Abdullahi reportedly took a pistol and shot himself in the head, killing himself instantly.

Niger State Police Commissioner, Adamu Elleman, confirmed the incident, stating, “He (Abdullahi) smartly brought out a pistol and shot himself when empty ammunition boxes were discovered.”

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The Niger state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said that officers present during the audit have been arrested for negligence, while four other police personnel linked to Abdullahi are under investigation.

A special team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) now guards the armoury, and an autopsy is planned to determine the exact cause of death.

Abdullahi reportedly owned multiple properties and vehicles, raising questions about the extent of his alleged involvement in illegal arms dealings.

Wasiu said that the investigation into the case remains ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, has deployed officers to worship centres and other public places across the territory to ensure adequate security.

Dantawaye said the proactive deployment is aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful, secure and hitch-free celebration for residents and visitors in the FCT.

According to him, police personnel have been strategically positioned at places of worship, recreational and event centres, major highways, motor parks and other public spaces.

“These deployments are complemented by increased visibility policing and intelligence-led patrols. Identified black spots, uncompleted buildings and shanties that may be exploited by criminal elements are being closely monitored and, where necessary, raided to forestall criminal activities,” he said.

In a statement, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the command remains committed to sustaining peace, safety and public order across the territory as it transitions into 2026.

She disclosed that, in line with the 2025 festive season operational order, the command has deployed 2,202 police personnel across the FCT to enhance security and maintain public order.

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“Tactical units, rapid response squads, and patrol teams are actively engaged, supported by intensified vehicular and foot patrols across the FCT. The Command is also working in close collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure comprehensive and coordinated security coverage throughout the festive period.

“In addition, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units have been deployed to conduct routine sweeps at places of worship and other public gathering points, in line with directives of the Inspector-General of Police. General security monitoring has equally been heightened to promptly detect and neutralise any threat to public safety.

“The Command wishes to reiterate that the use of fireworks, firecrackers, banga, knock-out, or any similar explosive devices is prohibited within the FCT. Members of the public are advised to desist from such acts, as anyone found in possession or use of these items will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Commissioner of Police therefore urges all residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious persons, movements, or items to the nearest police station or through the FCT Police Command emergency lines:

08032003913, 08028940883.”

The Rivers State Police Command has rescued a female kidnapped victim and killed two of the assailants in the state during a fierce battle.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the victim, who hails from Omademe community, was abducted on December 5 along Ozuaha Road in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

Operatives of the command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) Emohua Annex were said to have carried out the operation acting on a tip-off.

The statement said, “According to reports from the victim’s brother on December 9, 2025, seeking assistance in securing his sister’s release. That the abductors had demanded a ransom of N1.2m, threatening to kill the victim if the payment was not made promptly.

“The Police Operatives, determined to bring the perpetrators to justice, swiftly mobilized and executed a carefully planned operation to rescue the victim. At about 1130hrs, the police team, led by seasoned Operatives, utilizing intelligence-led operations, covertly stormed the kidnapper’s hideout located in a forested area, off Ozuaha Road, and met the suspected kidnappers sharing the ransom.

“Upon sighting the Police Operatives, the kidnappers, who were heavily armed, opened gunfire, leading to a fierce exchange of gun battles. The police, displaying exemplary bravery and professionalism, neutralized two of the kidnappers, while others fled into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. The victim was rescued unhurt, and part of the ransom was recovered.”

The statement said one pump-action rifle, five live cartridges, two expended cartridges, and one locally-made pistol.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the bravery and dedication of the operatives involved in the operation, saying they put their lives on the line to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

He reassured the public of the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the state and urged anyone with credible information about the fleeing suspects to come forward and assist the police.

The CP further directed that the investigation be expedited, and the fleeing suspects be apprehended, recover the remaining ransom, and be brought to justice.