Insecurity: Police arrest 306 suspects, ‘DSS officer’ in Abuja

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command says its operatives have arrested 307 suspected criminals in Abuja.

Benneth Igweh, the FCT police commissioner, said the suspects were arrested on Sunday during the raid of a marked black spot at Gidan Dambe in the Dei-Dei-Zuba axis.

He said during the search, one English pistol with fifteen (15) rounds of 9mm ammunition was recovered from one Ibrahim Tukur, who claimed to be an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS). 

The commissioner said items recovered from the black spot included motorcycles, wraps of marijuana, and other illicit substances. 

“The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh psc, mni, on 11/02/2024 at about 11:30 PM, personally led the tactical teams of the Command in the newly launched operation velvet to raid a marked black spot, Gidan Dambe in Dei-Dei -Zuba axis and arrested three hundred and seven (307) suspects,” the statement reads.

“During search, one English Pistol with fifteen (15) rounds of 9mm ammunition was recovered from one Ibrahim Tukur who claimed to be a DSS personnel.

“Other exhibits such as Motorcycles, wraps of marijuana, illicit substances and valuables reasonably suspected to have have been stolen from innocent residents were equally recovered.

“While suspects are still undergoing screening, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh psc, mni, wishes to inform the members of the public of operation velvet, which was launched on 10/02/2024, comprising all the Tactical teams of the Command to curb all forms of vehicular criminality and other crimes in the Territory.

“The Commissioner of Police further cautions officers against extortion of residents and to adopt professionalism in the discharge of their lawful duties, as security of the populace remains his utmost priority.”

On February 9, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of FCT command, said six suspects were arrested at an uncompleted hospital building in the Utako area of Abuja.

Adeh said a locally made pistol, two live cartridges and wraps of substances suspected to be marijuana, were recovered from the suspects.