By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says it has arrested 10 suspected traffic robbers and rescued three kidnapped victims in separate operations across the territory.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the command’s recent operations, following a review of crime patterns across the capital.
Sanusi said the 10 suspects allegedly disguised themselves as hawkers around traffic lights and congested roads, where they attacked unsuspecting motorists and dispossessed them of valuables.
The suspects were identified as Umar Saliu, Yusuf Issa, Aliu Hamza, Abubakar Naziru, Mohamed Moussa, Yagugu Mohamed, Suwidi Jibril, Kasimu Taraba, Abubakar Sani and Aminu Oman.
The commissioner also disclosed that the command had arrested 20 people for various traffic offences, particularly driving against traffic, popularly known as “one-way”.
He said the vehicles impounded during the operation had been taken to the police motor pool, while the suspects were being prosecuted.
In a separate operation, the police arrested a suspected motorcycle robbery gang member and an alleged receiver of stolen property following investigations into robbery incidents in Nyanya and Kubwa.
Sanusi said 32-year-old Ismail Tasiu was arrested at a hotel in Jabi, alongside 35-year-old Adamu Aliu, who was allegedly receiving stolen items from the gang.
Five motorcycles, three knives, a licence plate and a face cap bearing the inscription “Kaduna Vigilante Services” were recovered.
According to the commissioner, the suspects allegedly targeted motorcycle riders by using their vehicle to hit or force the riders off their motorcycles before taking the bikes.
Sanusi said the command was still pursuing other members of the gang.
The FCT Police Command also announced the rescue of three kidnapping victims following a distress call received on August 14.
Sanusi said the victims were allegedly abducted from their residence in Nyanya and taken to New Nyanya in neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Following intelligence provided by a resident, police operatives arrested two suspects identified as Godwin Afekhidi and Aaron Obun.
The three victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families without any ransom being paid, according to the police.
The command also announced the arrest of six suspects allegedly involved in breaking into houses at night, stealing valuables and attacking victims.
The suspects are Sanusi Yusuf, Zachary Muhammad, Sani Adamu, Abdullawasi Yahuza, Abdullahi Abba and Ali Muhammad.
Sanusi assured residents that the command would continue to identify criminal hideouts, disrupt criminal networks and recover instruments of crime.
“We will identify their hideouts, disrupt their networks, recover their instruments of crime, and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
He urged FCT residents to provide credible information about suspicious persons and activities in their communities, saying stronger cooperation between residents and security agencies would help make the capital safer.
