The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested more than 300 suspects during raids on crime flashpoints across Abuja, with Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi warning that those involved in criminal activities could be repatriated to their states of origin.
Sanusi issued the warning while parading the suspects arrested during operations targeting uncompleted buildings, scavenger points and other locations identified as potential hideouts for criminal activities across the FCT.
The commissioner said some suspects allegedly disguised themselves as scavengers while engaging in crimes including the snatching of mobile phones and handbags and breaking into vehicles parked by residents.
“If you don’t have a place to stay in FCT, go back to where you are coming from,” Sanusi said, stressing that the command would not tolerate people using the search for livelihood as a cover for criminal activities.
He explained that suspects would first undergo screening before authorities determine whether they would face prosecution or be returned to their states of origin. Those found to have committed offences, he said, would be charged before the appropriate courts.
Sanusi also warned against the use of uncompleted buildings as shelters or bases for criminal operations, saying such structures were not intended to accommodate people without lawful permission.
The commissioner said the police operation would be sustained, rather than conducted as a one-off exercise. He disclosed that the command had been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to intensify efforts to reduce criminal activities in the nation’s capital.
“We are going to continue to raid hideouts, we are going to continue to raid scavenger points, especially those in incomplete buildings,” Sanusi said.
The development is significant as Abuja continues to face concerns over street crime, theft and the use of uncompleted structures as alleged criminal hideouts. Police authorities say the ongoing raids are intended to disrupt such activities and improve security across the FCT.
The command has not disclosed a detailed breakdown of the arrested suspects or the states to which those considered for repatriation would be returned. The police said suspects who meet the threshold for prosecution would instead be processed through the judicial system.
