JTF raids criminal hideouts, arrests 135 suspects in FCT

The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Safe FCT has arrested 135 suspects during coordinated raids of criminal hideouts, uncompleted buildings and huts in the territory.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr. Haruna Garba, said this during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the JTF was inaugurated by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike to flush out criminal elements out of the territory.

Garba said the JTF comprised personnel of the Nigeria Police, the Military, Civil Defence, and the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services.

He said the JTF also, carried out clearance operations in the bushes and forest bordering the FCT.

Garba explained that the target of the JTF operation was to flush out armed hoodlums residing along the FCT border states of Niger, Nassarawa, Kogi and Kaduna states.

“In the course of the operation, the JTF arrested 135 suspects at various black spots in Kwali, Dutse Alhaji, Mpape, Karu, AYA, Nyaya, Karimo, Karshi, Kuje, Airport road, Berger Roundabout, Jabi, Orozo and Mararaba.

“Out of these numbers, 75 suspects were arraigned in court for various offences, while 65 were sentenced to pay fines ranging from N5,000 to N7,000.

“The remaining ten were sentenced to community service, while the 39 suspects being paraded are under investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation,” he said.

Garba added that eight of the suspects were arrested in connection with “one chance” robbery, adding that knives, handcuffs and swords were recovered from their vehicles.

The CP said 54 vehicles were impounded during the two-week operation, adding that a substantial number of the vehicles had no number plates while others were with tinted glasses.

According to him, some vehicles had only plate numbers in front while others had only plate numbers at the back.

He said the offending drivers and owners of the vehicles would be arraigned in court.

The CP said two locally fabricated guns, one locally made Berretta pistol, and one revolver double barrel gun with two live cartridges were recovered from some of the suspects.

He said three bags and a number of wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as illicit drugs were also recovered from the suspects.

NAN