The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has designated 17 areas in Abuja as criminal black-spots as part of its intensified efforts to combat crime and protect public infrastructure.
Identified Black-Spots
The identified areas include:
- Apo-Dutse Panteka
- Diplomatic Zone
- New PDP Secretariat
- Kabusa Panteka
- Ajakaita (Tungan-Maje)
- Abuja-Kaduna Road
- Jabi Panteka
- Apo-Waru Panteka
- Area 1 (Monkey Village)
- Durumi Village
- Gwarimpa
- Angwan Tivi
- Mpape (Mashafa and Shishinpe Villages)
- Durumi III (Burukutu Garden)
- Mabushi (Gishiri Village)
- Kubwa (Pipeline and NEPA Road)
- Maitama (Under the Transcorp Bridge)
Police Operations and Objectives
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the black-spots were identified through a series of strategic raids conducted across the capital. The raids aim to:
- Prevent Crime: Deter and disrupt criminal activities in these hotspots.
- Protect Infrastructure: Safeguard public assets, including manhole covers, streetlights, and power cables, from theft and vandalism.
Achievements of the Raids
The operations have led to significant successes, as outlined by Adeh:
- Arrests and Prosecutions:
- 348 suspects arrested for various criminal activities.
- 320 suspects prosecuted and charged to court.
- Recovered Items:
- 10 trucks loaded with vandalized metals, disrupting the market for stolen goods.
- 26 manhole covers and 20 solar/streetlight poles recovered, restoring critical infrastructure.
- Large quantities of AEDC armoured cables, reducing cases of vandalism.
- Weapons and Drugs:
- 11 firearms recovered, removing dangerous weapons from circulation.
- Seizure of large quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and assorted hard drugs, reducing drug-related crimes.
FCT Police Commitment
The FCT Police Command emphasized that these daily raids are critical to maintaining law and order in the territory. The command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring a safer environment while curbing criminal activities in the capital.
“These efforts demonstrate the unwavering dedication of the FCT Police Command to proactively address crime and protect the lives and property of citizens,” Adeh stated.
The ongoing raids signal a robust approach by law enforcement in Abuja, addressing not just criminal activities but also the underlying issues of infrastructure theft and vandalism. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.
