By Danmarayam Zayamu
Forty seven suspected criminals were yesterday paraded by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. They include 9 notorious cultists who were arrested in Karimo area of the FCT.
At a media briefing, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Bala Ciroma, disclosed that 38 other suspects have been arrested in connection with different crimes including armed robbery, rapping and car snatching from different parts of the FCT including Gwagwa, Karimo and Kubwa axis.
Some of the items recovered include 125 ammunitions, 9 fire arms, 10 cutlasses, 1 keke napep, 74 phones recorvered, one lexus jeep, plasma tvs, stabilizer and others.
He, however, reassured residents of the FCT of the unflinching commitment of his command to ensure safety of lives and property in the FCT.
“ I want to emphasize that the Command will continue to review its policing strategy to meet up with the yearnings and aspirations of FCT residents,” he stressed.
He, therefore, warned that: “all persons nursing the thought of perpetrating any criminal act in FCT that they should either beat a retreat, and repent for good or be prepared to be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate sections of the law, when arrested.”
According to the CP, the 9 suspected cultists were arrested following by operatives of the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) acting on credible intelligence that some cultists are notorious for terrorizing Karimo and its environs.
On the arrest of a serial rapist, the CP said: “On 17th January, 2020 at about 1900hrs, following a complaint, one Akan Bernard, a serial rapist was arrested by Police operatives from Durumi Division for attacking and raping his female victims in the bush around Area 3 junction.
“The suspect who operates mostly at night and has confessed to the crime was arrested after one of his victims on sighting him alerted the Police patrol who immediately swung into action and arrested him. Meanwhile, another victim has also identified suspect as the person who raped her some time back. Investigation is on-going.”
On the arrest of the armed robbery suspects, the CP disclosed that: “On 3rd January, 2020 following a discreet investigation, Police operatives from Karu division arrested and recovered two locally made pistols from one Peter Emmanuel ‘m’ 25 years, a notorious armed robbery suspect, who alongside members of his gang (now at large) are wanted by the Division for armed robbery and other criminal offences. Another milestone recorded in this case is the arrest of one Musa Muhammed who receives and sells items stolen by the gang.
“Meanwhile, the Police is currently making concerted effort to arrest other members of the gang who are still at large.
“Also, on 16/01/2020 at about 2230hrs police operatives from Lugbe Division following a sting operation arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects who specialized in attacking motorists along Lugbe flyover. The suspects one Samuel Achimi ‘m’ and Monday Solomon both males of no fixed address were arrested in possession one locally fabricated pistol and some charms.
“Likewise, on January 9, 2020, acting on tip off Police operatives from Jikwoyi Division in collaboration with operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) smashed and arrested members of a 5-man robbery gang that was terrorizing residents of Jikwoyi and its environs.
“The arrested suspects include one Kabiru Gimba 24years, Olaniyan Emmanuel 26years, Zakari Ibrahim 26years, Abubakar Muhammed 25years and Okoh Gabriel 22years, are notorious for robbing their victims of their phones, bags and other valuables. The following exhibits have been recovered from the suspects: 1 Samsung tablet phone, 1 techno tablet phone, 2 inifix hot phones , 2 Huawei phones, 1 Nokia phone, 2 Techno phones, 1 Kgtel phone, one TCL phone, 1 travelling bag containing clothes and 1 Echolac box. Investigation is on-going.
“Furthermore, on 18/01/2020 at about 1200hrs police operatives from Mabushi acting on tip off arrested one Ali Muhammed for being in unlawful possession of firearm.
“The suspect was arrested at Mabushi in possession of the locally fabricated revolver gun during a fight between him and one Hassan Nicodemus. The revolver gun has been recovered from him as an exhibit. Investigation is on-going.
“Similarly, on January 16, 2020 Operatives of the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) following a discreet investigation have arrested one Farouk Muktar ‘m’ 25 years at Gwagwalada for robbing one of his female victims at her house. “
Ciroma, however, applauded all stakeholders in the FCT who, according to him, have been supporting the Command in its on-going crime fighting drive, which has continue to yield positive result.
