‘Arrested residents paid N5,000 each to regain freedom’

Policemen from the Zuba Division in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Friday, reportedly raided Dakwa community, an Abuja suburb, shooting an official of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The unidentified DSS official was said to be on transit when he was allegedly shot in the Dakwa raid.

No fewer than 37 residents and other passersby in the community were arrested during the operation which took take place around 8pm.

A resident, Aliyu Ibrahim, who introduced himself as a security guard in one of the private schools in the area, was one of the people arrested and taken to the police division where they spent the night.

He said other people arrested included traders, tea and roasted meat sellers as well as commercial motorcyclists.

“They stormed the area with three vehicles including a Hilux van, bus and a utility vehicle. “They operated alongside local vigilantes who rode the impounded motorcycles, while their owners and other arrested people were conveyed in the police vehicles.”

Another resident, who craved anonymity, alleged that the arrested residents were released the following morning on bail, after parting with N5,000 each.

Responding, the Zuba Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Osor Moses, confirmed the shooting of the DSS official but said he was responding to treatment at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.

He, however, referred our reporter to the FCT police command for further details on the incident.

At the command, the police spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh, said she would get back to our reporter but did not up till the time of filing this report yesterday night. (Courtesy Daily Trust)

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