The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says in April alone, 1,611 people connected to a variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, were taken into custody.
21 stolen cars, a significant amount of codeine, a significant amount of Tramadol tablets, 10 iPads/tablets, 14 laptops, 19 power banks, two generator sets, 10 point-of-sale machines, 15 motorcycles, 109 ATM cards, 225 Exol tablets, 52 Diazepam tablets, one axe, three scissors, one crusher, and 149 cell phones were also recovered, according to the Command.
These numbers were disclosed at a news conference on Friday at the Command Headquarters by CP Ajao S. Adewale, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command.
He said the recent upsurge in car theft and drug-related offences across the FCT prompted the Command to intensify intelligence-led operations and conduct targeted raids in identified hotspots.
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Ajao added that 15 suspects were arrested in connection with car theft, noting that six of the recovered vehicles have already been returned to their verified owners, while the remaining thirteen were displayed during the briefing.
“In one case, a Toyota Camry, popularly known as ‘pencil light,’ was intercepted around the Central Area after it was found to be driven suspiciously by one Hassan Bukar, who attempted to evade arrest before being apprehended. Investigations revealed the car had been stolen from the premises of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission.
“The suspect confessed to planning to sell the vehicle to a regular buyer in Kaduna State and was found in possession of master keys used for stealing cars.
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“In another incident, a man identified as Daniel James reported that his Toyota Camry 2011, handed to a mechanic for repairs, had gone missing. Detectives traced the vehicle to a buyer in Gwarinpa and arrested the intermediary, while the mechanic, Abdulazeez Auwal Salisu, remains at large.”
Additionally, a government-issued Hilux vehicle was found in Kaduna after being stolen without authorisation by Abubakar Sadio, an official driver who planned to sell it. He also had another unregistered Hilux in his hands, the CP continued.
He said that a black Mercedes-Benz 4Matic E-400 that had been stolen from its rightful owner in Lekki, Lagos, was being sold by five suspects who were taken into custody at Life Camp.
