FCT Police Dismantle Criminal Networks in City Raids

The FCT Police Command has arrested 52 suspects following a series of coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and uncompleted buildings across Abuja. The extensive operation, which began around 11:45 p.m. on September 14, involved a joint task force of operatives from multiple divisions, including Nyanya, Maitama, Gwagwa, Dawaki, Gwarinpa, Asokoro, Karu, Jikwoyi, Mpape, Lokogoma, and Utako. The raids, targeting locations long known as “black spots” for illegal activities, represent a proactive shift in the FCT’s policing strategy. During the operation, authorities successfully recovered substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs from some of the suspects. This decisive action comes amidst a heightened period of insecurity in the nation’s capital, where residents have faced an alarming surge in kidnappings and other violent crimes in recent months, leading to widespread public demand for urgent and decisive intervention from law enforcement.

The use of uncompleted and abandoned buildings as criminal hideouts has long been a major security challenge in Abuja. According to security experts, these structures provide a safe haven for terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, who use them to plan and execute attacks, store weapons, and hold victims. The raids by the FCT Police, therefore, were not random but part of a well-defined intelligence-led policing strategy, which focuses on using data and information to proactively target criminal elements before they can act. This approach contrasts sharply with reactive policing and shows the command’s commitment to using intelligence to dismantle criminal networks. By simultaneously striking across various divisions, the police have demonstrated a new level of coordination and resolve aimed at disrupting the flow of criminal activity across the city and restoring a sense of security for residents who have lived in fear due to the brazenness of these attacks. The police are also relying on a multi-pronged approach that includes community policing engagements and collaborations with other security agencies like the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military.

Following the arrests, the 52 suspects are currently in police custody, undergoing a rigorous process of profiling and interrogation at their respective divisional headquarters. This phase of the operation is crucial, as it allows investigators to gather information on the suspects’ identities, their roles in various criminal syndicates, and the broader criminal networks they belong to. According to police sources, those found to be culpable will be formally charged in court, while others may be released if no evidence of criminal activity is found. The legal process in Nigeria dictates that a person arrested without a warrant must be brought before a court within a reasonable time, typically 24 to 48 hours, depending on the proximity of the court. During this time, the suspects are informed of their rights, including the right to remain silent and to seek legal counsel. If a suspect is charged with a crime, they can then apply for bail, a decision that will be made by a judge based on the nature of the offense and the likelihood of the suspect appearing for trial. This legal step ensures that the process is fair and transparent and that the suspects’ rights are protected under the law.

The FCT Police Command has assured residents that it will sustain its crackdown on criminal elements to ensure safety and security across the territory. In a recent scorecard released by the command, it was noted that a significant number of arrests had been made and that the crime rate had decreased by a certain percentage. This current operation is a clear indication that the police are not resting on their past successes but are intensifying their efforts to address evolving security demands in 2025. The raids serve as a stern warning to criminals that their hideouts will be dismantled and that there is no safe place for them to operate within the FCT. It also sends a message to the public that the police are taking their security concerns seriously. However, security experts have repeatedly stressed that community policing, which involves the collaboration between the police and the public, is essential for a long-term solution to the crime problem. Building trust and a sense of shared responsibility between law enforcement and residents is crucial for creating a sustainable security architecture that can withstand future challenges and prevent the resurgence of criminal activity in the city.