Authorities in Abuja have intensified efforts to rid the Federal Capital Territory of criminal activities by identifying 17 notorious hotspots as black spots for crime.
These areas, spread across the city, include Apo-Dutse Panteka, Diplomatic Zone, New PDP Secretariat, Kabusa Panteka, Jabi Panteka, Maitama under the Transcorp Bridge, and Mpape’s Mashafa and Shishinpe villages, among others.
The FCT Police Command, led by spokesperson Josephine Adeh, revealed that the designation of these locations came after a series of strategic raids.
These daily operations, aimed at combating crime and safeguarding infrastructure, have resulted in the arrest of 348 suspects linked to a range of offenses. Of these, 320 individuals have already been prosecuted and charged.
The police have also disrupted illegal operations tied to vandalism and theft of public infrastructure. During the raids, officers seized 10 trucks loaded with stolen metals and recovered 26 manhole covers, 20 streetlight poles, and significant quantities of AEDC armoured cables. The operation also uncovered a large cache of drugs, including dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and removed 11 firearms from circulation.
Adeh highlighted that these raids are crucial in preventing crimes before they occur, ensuring safer communities, and restoring essential public infrastructure. Criminals targeting public utilities, such as manhole covers and power cables, pose risks to residents, including potential accidents from exposed infrastructure.
Areas like Gwarimpa, Mabushi’s Gishiri Village, Kubwa near Pipeline and NEPA Road, Area 1’s Monkey Village, and Durumi III’s Burukutu Garden are among the most affected and have been subjected to intensified police operations. The raids have not only disrupted criminal activities but also sent a strong message to offenders about the government’s zero tolerance for crime.
Citizens are encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities and providing information on criminal networks. Authorities believe that the success of these operations relies on community involvement alongside law enforcement’s proactive measures.
READ MORE: FCTA Intensifies Crackdown on Infrastructure Vandalism in Abuja
The FCT Police Command assures residents that its commitment to daily raids and heightened security measures will continue, with the aim of making Abuja a model of safety and order.
