The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says it has arrested 560 suspects during a series of intelligence-led raids on identified crime hotspots across Abuja as part of efforts to curb criminal activities.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, said the operations were carried out by police divisions across the FCT using intelligence gathering and community policing strategies.
According to Sanusi, the raids targeted criminal hideouts and led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, illicit drugs and other exhibits. Recovered items included a locally fabricated pistol, a locally made AK-47 rifle and three rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
He said the operations reflect the command’s determination to ensure criminal elements no longer find safe havens within the nation’s capital.
The police commissioner also announced the arrest of a six-member kidnapping and “one chance” robbery syndicate linked to the abduction of a woman in Abuja’s Maitama area. Police recovered the full N8.25 million ransom paid by the victim’s family, two operational vehicles, a cutlass, seven pairs of AirPods, jewellery believed to have been stolen, five mobile phones and a laptop.
Investigations, he said, showed the gang had operated along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of the FCT since 2024, allegedly extorting about N12.8 million from at least five female victims.
Sanusi further disclosed that four suspected kidnappers and alleged suppliers of ammunition and illicit drugs to bandits were arrested during clearance operations in Kwali, Abaji and Kuje Area Councils. Officers recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in a vehicle at Zuba Motor Park, as well as codeine syrup, suspected cannabis, tramadol, cash and other items.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating crime, Sanusi said the police would sustain the ongoing operations until criminal networks are dismantled. He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support law enforcement efforts across the FCT.
