Bala Ciroma, FCT Police Commissioner, has addressed the press on how his Command nabbed a soothsayer, and recovered from firearms from notorious criminals in Abuja.

In his welcome address at the press briefing, he stated that in “our bid to tackle crime and criminality with a need to ensure adequate provision of security in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Police Command has developed a proactive approach in its fight against crime.

“It is important to state that the Command is not leaving any stone unturned as it strives to provide FCT residents with quality service delivery that will meet their yearnings.

The public is, therefore, enjoined to collaborate with the Command as it works assiduously to fight crime and reduce to the barest minimum.

“On behalf of the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Bala Ciroma, I want to appreciate our indefatigable Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu NPM, mni for providing the Command with moral and the necessary logistics support to effectively discharge our policing duties.”

According to Ciroma, “the Command wishes to also appreciate the Honourable Minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello who has been a strong pillar of support to the Command.

The Police in FCT, he stated, “is assuring the residents and the public that we would work in collaboration with other security agencies in the Territory to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum during ‘the Ember’ Months comprising September, October, November and December.

“Meanwhile, the Command is pleased to inform the public that it has recorded the following breakthroughs in its fight against crime in the last couple of weeks:

Arrest of Armed Robbery Suspects/Recovery of Firearms

On 10th September, 2019, at about 0800hrs Police operatives from Gwagwalada Division following a tip-off arrested five armed robbery suspects and recovered two locally fabricated pistols and nine (5) cutlasses (1) live cartridge and (1) expended cartridge from the suspects.

The suspects, he further disclosed, went into hiding after their attempt to snatch a Toyota Matrix on 28th August, 2019 was foiled by a Police Patrol team from Gwagwalada Division who acted promptly after receiving the distress call.

“The suspects arrested are Suleiman Lawal ‘m’, Umar Sanda ‘m’, Ismail Mohammed ‘m’, Shehu Isah ‘m’ and Nasiru Audu. On 3rd September, 2019 acting on tip-off and following a joint operation by police operatives from Dutse Alhaji Division and 50 Squadron of the Police Mobile Force, one Chijoike Mathias ‘m’ 35 years, Ikenna Okafor ‘m’ 33 years and Fidelis Okoro ‘m’ 34 years were arrested at their Dutse Alhaji hideout while plotting to carry out a major armed robbery operation. The exhibits recovered from the suspects include four (4) locally fabricated pistols, sixty-six (66) rounds of live ammunition and some charms.

It is important to state that Ikenna Okafor, from whose custody three of the firearms and fifty-two (52) live ammunition were recovered, was among the inmates who escaped from Niger State during the 2018 jailbreak.

In addition, on 22nd August, 2019, at about 1245hrs Police operatives acting on a tip off arrested one Hassan Adamu ‘m’ a notorious armed robbery suspect who has been on the Command watch list, he stated.

“A victim who was robbed in November 2018 alerted the police when she sighted the suspect at a garden in Galadimawa.

“One locally fabricated revolver pistol with three rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspect as exhibits. Effort is being intensified to arrest his cohort who is still on the run.

“Similarly, on 21st July, 2019 at about 0200hrs Police operatives on duty at Wuse while responding to distress call arrested one William Peter ‘m’ 25 years and Joseph Philip ‘m’ 23 years who attempted to snatch a car at gunpoint.

“One toy gun used by the suspects for the operation has been recovered as exhibit. The suspects will be arraigned in court when investigations are concluded.

Arrest of Suspects for Unlawful Possession of Firearm

“On 19 June, 2019 while responding to a distress call that there was a clash between two rival cult groups close to a hotel in Dutse Alhaji, Police operatives arrested one Opia Ameh ‘m’ 41 years in possession of one locally fabricated pistol and two (2) rounds of live ammunition. The suspect, he said, will be arraigned in court when investigations are concluded.

In furtherance with interagency collaboration, the FCT Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has handed over one Henry Olekamma ‘m’ 23 years to the Police for discreet investigation.

The suspect was arrested in possession of a locally fabricated pistol by operatives of the agency who were on duty at Gwagwalada. The suspect will be arraigned in court when investigations are concluded.

Recovery of Firearm

On 26th August, 2019 at about 0400hrs, police operatives on stop and search duty at Asokoro have recovered a polythene bag containing a locally fabricated pistol abandoned by some hoodlums who took to their heels on sighting the eagle-eyed policemen on duty. Investigation is ongoing.

Arrest of Fraudsters

On 3rd September, 2019 Police operatives acting on complaint have smashed a notorious criminal gang that pose as soothsayers to defraud their unsuspecting victims. In her complaint, the victim noted that the gang had defrauded her of close to eleven million (N11,000,000) before she alerted the Police.

The syndicate shrines are located at Waru, Pyakassa and Galadimawa village. The suspects arrested are: Kehinde Ayola ‘m’ 37 years, Sesan Fatoye ‘m’ 30 years, Shola Samuko ‘m’ 50 years and Sheyi Fagbemi ‘m’ 32 years.

While the Command is working assiduously to arrest other members of the gang, the public is advised to be wary of persons who approach them on the streets as fortune-tellers. Exhibits recovered from them include charms, herbs, calabash, pipe, white and red pieces of clothes, etc. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Arrest of Suspected Kidnappers

On 6th September, 2019, at about 1300hrs Police detectives from the Command Criminal Investigation Department following a complaint have arrested one Monday Simon ‘m’, Emmanuel Mathew ‘m’, Lawal Sabiu and Husseini Ismail ‘m’ who conspired to extort and threatened to kidnap their victim for monetary gains. While Monday Simon was arrested at his residence in Jikwoyi, his cohorts were arrested at Durumi where they had gone to recover the money requested from their victim.

Similarly, Police detectives from this Command have arrested one Hamza Abdullahi ‘m’ and his cohort, Awalu Shuaibu, for arranging his kidnap and demanding ransom from his father. The suspect who wanted to use the medium to extort money from his parent was arrested at Katampe extension were he had gone to receive the ransom.

Effort is being intensified to arrest one of his cohorts who is on the run. The suspects will be arraigned in court when investigation is concluded.

Arrest of An Impersonator/Recovery Of Exhibits

On 30th August 2019 at about 0200hrs, Police operatives on patrol at Gwarimpa arrested one Samuel Ogabaidu ‘m’ for impersonating to be a police officer. The suspect who was arrested while driving against traffic introduced himself to the patrol team as a Police Sergeant. However, when questioned he confessed that he was not a police officer. The Command is carrying out a discreet investigation to ascertain his mission and also unravel the source of the security gadgets found in his possession.

Which include: One jackknife, a fake police warrant card, improvised bulletproof vest, some security gadgets, and accouterments. He will be arraigned in court after the investigation is concluded.

Finally, I want to appreciate our friends from the media for their continuous support and partnership in reporting the activities of the Command. (PRNigeria)

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