Joint Task Force Arrests 135 Suspects In FCT
The Joint Task Force, comprising of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Military, Department of State Services (DSS) and the NSCDC have arrested 135 criminal suspects in the FCT Abuja.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday evening, at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba said, the arrests were made through co-ordinated raids on criminal hideouts, uncompleted buildings, shanties and clearance operations in the bushes and forests around FCT borders with Niger, Nassarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States.
The CP disclosed that, in the last two weeks commencing from 28/10/2023 to 12/11/2023, Joint Task Force of Operation safe FCT was launched by the Honourable Minister of FCT, Chief. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to flush out criminal elements out of the FC, most especially the armed hoodlums disturbing the peace of the residents who reside at our borders with other states.”
In the course of this operation, he said, “We recorded huge successes with the arrest of 135 suspects at various black spots located at Kwali, Dutse Alhaji, Mpape, Karu, AYA, Nyaya, Karimo, Karshi, Kuje, Airport road, Berger Roundabout, Jabi, Orozo and Mararaba and so on.”
Out of these numbers, the FCT Police boss revealed that, 75 suspects were arraigned in court for various offences, while 65 were sentenced to pay designated fines, the remaining ten were sentenced to community service.
“It is a pleasure to inform you that the 39 suspects we are parading today have been under interrogation and will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.
“While eight suspects are suspected to be members of one chance syndicate, as knives, handcuffs and swords were recovered from their vehicles with the following Plate numbers.
“A red Golf car with Reg No. ER 09; Ash coloured Nissan Almeira with Reg No. YAB 679 HG; a navy blue golf Car with no Number Plate; a white Mercedes GLK with Reg No. BWR 238 AY; a brown Mazda with Reg No. KWL 886 AX; a red Golf car with Reg No. BRN 1000 GWZ; a white coloured Carina E with Reg No. KW 196 MD; a white Salon car with Reg No. BSI 9719 Basa Plateau.”
In the course of the two weeks operation, CP Garba stated that, 54 vehicles have been impounded.
“Most of these vehicles arrested for Plate Number Violations (PNV) are those operating with only one plate number either at the front or back, no plate number at all or with unregistered or fake plate number.
“Other offenses committed leading to the arrest and impoundment of these vehicles include tinted glass permit violations, possession of prohibited weapons and firearms, illicit drugs and other substances such as Indian hemp.”
The CP also stressed that due to the operations of the JTF in the FCT, the incidence of one chance, armed robbery and abduction have reduced significantly in the last two weeks in the FCT.
While reiterating the commitment of the Joint Task Force to aggressively flush out miscreants from the FCT, Garba equally enjoined FCT residents to remain vigilant, and provide timely and accurate information that borders on security and report any suspicious activities or movement to the Police and other law enforcement agencies.
This is as he appealed for cooperation in defeating crime and criminality in our society.
•INDEPENDENTNG.