JTF Arrests 135 Suspects Terrorising FCT

Security operatives under the Joint Task Force (JTF) have arrested 135 suspects for various crimes and terrorising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba, said: “You may recall that the Joint Task Force of Operation Safe FCT was launched by the minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to flush out criminal elements out of the Federal Capital Territory, most especially the armed hoodlums disturbing the peace of the residents of the FCT who reside at our boundaries with Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States.

“In line with the mandate of the operation, the Joint Task Force comprising of the NPF, Military, NSCDC and DTRS carried out coordinated raids of criminal hideouts, uncompleted buildings, shanties and of course clearance operations in the bushes and forests bordering the FCT.

“In the course of the operation, the joint Task Force arrested 135 suspects at various black spots located at; Kwali, Dutse Alhaji, Mpape, Karu, AYA, Nyaya, Karmo, Karshi, Kuje, Airport Road, Berger Roundabout, Jabi, Orozo and Mararaba etc. That out of these numbers, 75 suspects were arraigned in court for various offences, while 65 were sentenced to pay fines ranging from N5,000 – N7,000, the remaining 10 were sentenced to community service.”

The CP further said that, “39 suspects we are parading on Thursday have been under interrogation and will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.

“Out of this number, eight suspects are suspected to be members of ‘One Chance’ syndicate, as knives, handcuffs and swords were recovered from their vehicles.”