In a bid to curb crime and enhance security in the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Taskforce on City Sanitation has launched a crackdown on notorious “one chance” robbery syndicates in the FCT.
The raid resulted in the arrest of several suspected criminals and the seizure of several vehicles allegedly used for their illicit activities.
Key locations targeted during the raids include Area 1, Apo Bridge to Apo Roundabout, Berger Roundabout, and the busy Banex Junction.
Addressing journalists after the operations, Mr. Adamu Gwary, Director of the Security Services Department of the FCTA, said the initiative aims to enhance security across the capital during and after the festive period.
Gwary, represented by the Secretary of the Command and Control Centre, Mr. Peter Olumuji, said the exercise that started early in the week is going to last throughout the festive season.
According to him, the raid also brought about the arrest of four beggars suspected to be criminals.
Gwary said: “We started on Monday, and we are going to sustain it all through the festive period till January next year. This is because, if we do not do it, criminal elements will capitalise on any little gap to continue their nefarious activities.
“You know the issue of one chance has been on the front burner in FCT. This operation was designed to support ongoing efforts by the Nigeria police and other security agencies to rid the city of criminals posing as commercial drivers.”
He also said that several suspected vehicles used for one chance operation were impounded by the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) as part of efforts to secure the FCT.
He said: “Like we all know, we are approaching the festive period, and these criminal elements will try to play a fast one in getting more financial benefits.
“The Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has directed that the operation be sustained so that every commuter in the FCT will be able to move safely, from one point to the other, without any form of harassment.”
He also said seven beggars have been apprehended for flouting the ban on street begging in some areas of the federal capital.
Gwary said the beggars are in the custody of the FCTA’s Social Development Secretariat for profiling and further action.
“We have also apprehended a suspect for impersonating the Nigeria police. The suspect was caught with a very long locally fabricated knife inside his vehicle.
“He claimed to be a policeman, but from what we have seen, that may not be true. So, we have handed him over to the police for profiling and further investigation,” he said.
He encouraged FCT residents to be vigilant when boarding any vehicle, especially at night.
Gwary said: “If there’s nothing else you can remember, just try and remember the colour and the make of the vehicle, and if you can also get the plate number of that vehicle, just get it.
“Before you enter any vehicle, send the details to someone, so that if anything happens to you, we can quickly track that number and apprehend the suspect.”
Mrs. Deborah Osho, Head of Operations, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), said the operation was being conducted in the evening because that was the time most of the one-chance syndicates operate.
She said: “People close from work in the evening, tired and in a hurry to go home, will take any vehicle that is available. The operation is not only to apprehend the on-chance operators and impound their vehicle but also to destabilise their operations and make the city very hot for them to operate.”
Persecondnews recalls that protests erupted in Abuja on November 8, sparked by the demolition of the Ruga settlement by the FCTA task force.
Specifically, the protesters condemned the heavy-handed and oppressive methods used by the task force in carrying out the exercise, advocating a more humane approach.
Speaking on the activities of the task force, the minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said his administration will not be deterred by blackmail by civil society organizations and activists who called for a cessation of demolition exercises in the city.
He emphasized that despite potential blackmail, intimidation, or abuse, his team remains committed to carrying out their duties.
Their primary focus, he said, is safeguarding Abuja, protecting lives and property, and transforming the city into one of the world’s best, regardless of external distractions or criticisms.
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