A total of 135 suspected criminals have been arrested by the Joint Task Force on “Operation safe FCT” in the last two weeks commencing from 28/10/2023 to 12/11/2023.
This was disclosed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba during a press briefing with other sister security agencies on Thursday at the Command.
The Joint Task Force of Operation safe FCT was launched by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike to flush out criminal elements out of the Federal Capital Territory most especially the armed hoodlums disturbing the peace of the residents of the FCT who reside at the city’s boundaries with Niger, Nassarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States.
According to CP Garba the operation is in line with the mandate of the Joint Task Force comprising of the NPF, Military, DSS and NSCDC carried out co-ordinated raids of criminal hideouts, uncompleted buildings, shanties and clearance operations in the bushes and forest at the borders of the FCT.
“In the course of the operation, the joint Task Force recorded huge successes with the arrest of one hundred and thirty five (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 etc,”
He said that out of these numbers, seventy-five (75) suspects have been arraigned in court for various offences, while sixty-five were sentenced to pay fines, the remaining ten were sentenced to community service.
“The CP intoned , this conference is held to inform you that the 39 suspects we are parading today have been under interrogation and will be charged in court at the conclusion of the investigation.
“Out of this number, eight (8) are suspected to be members of one chance syndicate. 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, fifty four (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/firearms, illicit drugs and other substances such as Indian hemp.
“I am happy to inform you 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.
“I wish to reiterate the commitment of the Joint Task Force to aggressively flush out miscreants from the FCT.
“I equally enjoin the good people of FCT to remain vigilant, provide timely and accurate information that borders on security and report any suspicious activities or movement to the Police and other law enforcement agencies. Your cooperation is highly required if we must defeat crime and criminality in our society.”
