The FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)has arrested nine suspects in connection with a series of violent crimes in the Sabon-Lugbe area of Abuja.
The suspects, accused of attempted murder, robbery, and aggravated assault, were apprehended following a tip off from residents of the community.
The arrests were made by NSCDC’s Special Tactical Squad “Operation Adaka-su” after reports that a group of hoodlums had invaded the Sabon-Lugbe community, attacking residents with knives and stealing valuable items, including mobile phones and electronic gadgets.
The FCT Command Public Relations Officer (CDPRO), CSC Samuel A. Idoko, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects had earlier attacked and attempted to stab a personnel of NSCDC who resides in the community with a knife.
Although the officer was able to disarm the attackers, the criminal gang made away with the phone.
The suspects arrested include Umar Badamasi, 20 years old, Ahmed Rufai, 30 years old, Jamilu Abdullahi, 45 years old, Jamilu Lawal, 20 years old, Mohammed Kabir, 57 years old, Abubarkar Umar Abdul, 27 years old, Aliyu Dodo, 20 years old, Faith Rufai, 23 years old, and Muhammed Alkasim, 26 years old.
Upon interrogation, one of the suspects, Ahmed Rufai, confessed that the leader of their gang was still at large. He also revealed that the stolen mobile phone from the NSCDC operative was sold for ₦15,000.
Among the items recovered from the suspects include Indian hemp, four knives, a motorcycle, charms, and a machete.
Olusola Odumosu, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, while parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Abuja assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang who are still at large.
Odumosu urged Abuja residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.
“All residents of Abuja must be involved in the battle against crime and criminality in the FCT by making sure that you report promptly, all suspicious movements and persons to relevant security agencies”.
“You cannot leave it all to security operatives alone, as we cannot be everywhere at the same time. If credible and timely information like this comes to us as often as possible, we would have solved the problem of insecurity in the FCT to a very large extent.
“All residents of Abuja must be involved in the battle against crime and criminality in the FCT by making sure that you report promptly, all suspicious movements and persons to relevant security agencies,” he stated.
The command added that an investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the suspects are providing useful information.
“Let me warn, that, if you are a criminal, it is better to look for a legitimate means of income or risk going to jail because we will fish you out of your hideouts. Except you relocate from the FCT, you have a date with the law and there is no escaping,” Odumosu warned.
NSCDC Busts Criminal Gang, Arrests 9 Suspects is first published on The Whistler Newspaper