More than 300 crime cases were reported between October and December 2025 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police command with 160 suspects arrested for various crimes.
Police Commissioner Miller Dantawaye announced this on Friday at a media briefing in Abuja on December 19.
Police Commissioner Miller Dantawaye attributed these successful operations to the strategic guidance of Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun.
Persecondnews recalls that CP Dantawaye, a former Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in the FCT, took over the FCT command from CP Saka Adewale Ajao now and Assistant Inspector General, on October 17, 2025.
Dantawaye said the command successfully handled seven kidnapping cases, arresting 41 suspects, while also foiling several gangs operating within and around the FCT — disrupting them through intelligence-led operations, forest-combing exercises, and joint efforts with sister security agencies.
He listed significant recoveries recorded during the review period, including 21 AK‑47 rifles, 10 shotguns, One K2 rifle, 37 locally‑made pistols, 31 locally‑fabricated firearms, Four magazines, 13 knives, Seven cutlasses and Two long scaffold rods.
Also recovered were seven mobile phones, 86 bags of dried leaves suspected to be _cannabis sativa_, four digital scales, 131 armoured cables (found inside a tinted‑glass vehicle), one hand saw and one iron bar, three ATM cards, and two ID cards.
Equally recovered were a large quantity of illicit drugs and other controlled substances, 193 rounds of live ammunition (various calibres), 14 vehicles linked to car‑theft, armed robbery, kidnapping and “one‑chance” robbery — recovered both within and outside the FCT — as well as 12 counterfeit official stamps and counterfeit boarding tickets, among other items.
He said: “The FCT, situated at the center of the nation and sharing boundaries with Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, functions as the nation’s political and diplomatic center.
“This strategic status draws in mixture of persons with diverse motives and mindsets from law abiding citizens to those driven by criminal motives seeking to exploit its economic, political, and social significance.
“Since my assumption of duty as the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command in October 2025, the Command has undertaken comprehensive review of the prevailing security situation across the six Area Councils of FCT.
“This assessment identified key issues common to every growing society including kidnapping, armed robbery, “one-chance” robbery, car theft, drug-related offences and other minor crimes.
“In line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, we adopted focused, intelligence-driven operational approach, anchored on crime analysis, hotspot mapping, collaboration with sister security agencies and continuous operational evaluation to guide deployments and tactical responses.
“These strategies employed during the time under review were built around strengthened community policing engagements, sustained intelligence-led policing, targeted clearance operations, enhanced visibility policing, public enlightenment and strategic communication.”
He also said: “During the time under review, FCT Police Command recorded notable operational successes across multiple crime fronts, particularly in anti-kidnapping operations, armed robbery suppression, arrest of violent offenders, rescue of victims, and recovery of arms, ammunition, vehicles, cash, and other criminal exhibits.
“Armed robbery cases recorded during the time under review stood at 62, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspects. These operations led to the dismantling of several armed robbery syndicates and recovery of firearms and live ammunition.
“Cases of “one-chance” robbery recorded during the period stood at 26, with 12 suspects arrested, following sustained surveillance, stop-and-search operations, and targeted raids.
“Car theft and vehicle snatching cases recorded during the time under review stood at 35, with 11 suspects arrested and 20 stolen vehicles comprising vehicles recovered from car theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, and “one-chance” robbery operations were successfully recovered within and outside the FCT.
“Arrests were also recorded in respect of homicide, cultism, drug-related offences, illegal possession of firearms, cyber-related fraud, and other violent crimes, with 120 suspects apprehended across these categories.
“During the period under review, the Command successfully rescued 24 victims of kidnap including women and children, from criminal hideouts and forest locations within and around the FCT.”
Speaking further Dantawaye said: “Victims of “one-chance” robbery and other violent crimes numbering eight were also rescued following prompt police interventions.
“In line with the Command’s commitment to due process and effective justice delivery, 96 suspects were charged to court during the period under review. Of these, 60 convictions were secured, while other cases remain at various stages of prosecution.
“The cases charged include kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, fraud-related offences, cultism, burglary, and other serious crimes.
“Disciplinary cases involving police personnel were also addressed through appropriate internal mechanisms in accordance with extant regulations.
“Also, Cash recoveries were made from various criminal operations within the period under review amounted to N15,450,000, including proceeds of kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, and other crimes.
“Other exhibits recovered include communication devices, motorcycles, dangerous weapons, and other items linked to criminal activities.”
He equally said: “During several high-risk operations within the period under review, particularly anti-kidnapping and response to robbery operations, Nine armed suspects were neutralized following gun duels with police operatives while attempting to evade arrest or take away hostages.
“It is with deep respect that the Command records that six police officers paid the supreme price in the line of duty during the period under review. Their sacrifices remain a solemn reminder of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives and property. May their souls rest in peace.
“Building on the operational gains recorded since my assumption of duty, FCT Police Command will continue to intensify on community policing engagements, deepen intelligence-led policing strategies, sustain targeted clearance operations, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and expand public enlightenment initiatives to address evolving security challenges within the FCT.
“FCT Police Command sincerely appreciates the The Inspector General of Police, Honourable Minister of the FCT for his continuous support, residents of the Federal Capital Territory, sister security agencies, the media, members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Civil Society Organizations, vigilante groups, and community policing stakeholders for their support and cooperation during the period under review.”
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