The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities across Abuja, arresting no fewer than 71 suspects during coordinated raids on black spots, uncompleted buildings, and criminal hideouts.

Sources confirmed the developments on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that the raids were carried out simultaneously on Sept. 8 across Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya, Apo, Karmo, Maitama, Mabushi, Dawaki, Galadima, Asokoro, Karu, Jikwoyi, Mpape, Lokogoma, and Utako Divisions.

“Some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects. They are undergoing screening and interrogation, while those found culpable will be charged to court,” the sources said.

The mass arrests come amid a string of disturbing incidents reported in different parts of the FCT in recent days, point to the resolve of the security forces to deal with all security challenges confronting the nation’s capital.

On Sept. 9, police operatives from Byazhin Division rescued a 40-year-old woman, Ms. Mary Moore, who was allegedly abducted from Keffi, Nasarawa State, and later found wandering in the Byazhin axis.

The victim told investigators that her abductors sprayed an unknown substance on her face, after which she lost consciousness and was dispossessed of her valuables. She has since been reunited with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for medical care.

In another case, detectives in Gwagwalada are investigating the death of an unidentified mentally challenged man, whose decomposing body was discovered in the bush at Ibwa 1 Area on Sept. 9. Community leaders and police agreed to bury the body at the site in line with local customs.

Earlier on Sept. 9, a distressing case of culpable homicide was reported in Gwagwalada after a 24-year-old woman, identified as Ebubechukwu Sunday Kelechi, died suddenly in her fiancé’s home.

Sources said that Preliminary police findings indicated she had been ill from malaria prior to her death, with drugs recovered at the scene. No marks of violence were found on her body, though her fiancé is In custody as investigations continue.

Sources also reported an abandoned dead baby, barely a day old, discovered behind the premises of the Assembly of God Church, Durumi 2. The infant was confirmed dead by doctors at the Primary Health Centre, Durumi, and later buried according to local customs.

While the clampdown and arrests of 71 suspects are commendable, more coordinated community-police collaboration is needed to address the underlying drivers of violent crime, drug abuse, and neglect in the FCT. (Zagazola, excluding headline)