Intelligence-led operations target criminal hotspots as police recover firearms, ammunition, illicit drugs and dismantle kidnapping and robbery syndicates

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 560 suspects during coordinated intelligence-led raids across identified criminal hotspots in Abuja, recovering firearms, ammunition, illicit drugs and other exhibits as part of a renewed offensive against crime in the nation’s capital.

Also read: FCT police bust kidnap network, arrest pregnant suspect

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development on Tuesday during a press briefing at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, saying the operations were driven by intelligence gathering and strengthened community policing.

According to Sanusi, the raids targeted several black spots identified across the Federal Capital Territory over the past week to disrupt criminal networks and improve public safety.

“The FCT Police Command, through intelligence gathering and community policing, has identified and raided several criminal hotspots across the Federal Capital Territory in the past week,” he said.

Sanusi explained that the coordinated operations were carried out by police divisions across the command, resulting in the arrest of 560 suspects and the recovery of dangerous weapons, illicit substances and other incriminating items.

“These raid operations were carried out by divisions across the command and resulted in the arrest of 560 suspects and the recovery of illicit drugs, arms and other exhibits,” he stated.

Items recovered during the raids included one locally fabricated pistol, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and three rounds of 9mm live ammunition, alongside quantities of illicit drugs.

The commissioner described the operation as part of the command’s sustained strategy to deny criminal groups safe havens within the Federal Capital Territory.

“The achievements we present today reflect the firm stance of the FCT Police Command in ensuring that crime does not thrive within the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Sanusi also announced the arrest of a six-member kidnapping and “one chance” robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for abducting a female victim in the Maitama area of Abuja.

According to him, investigators recovered the entire ₦8.25 million ransom paid by the victim’s family, alongside two operational vehicles, a cutlass, seven pairs of AirPods, jewellery believed to have been stolen from previous victims, five mobile phones and a laptop.

Preliminary investigations, he said, indicated that the syndicate had operated along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of the FCT since 2024, allegedly extorting about ₦12.8 million from at least five female victims.

In another breakthrough, the commissioner disclosed that four suspected kidnappers and alleged suppliers of ammunition and illicit drugs to bandits were arrested during clearance operations in Kwali, Abaji and Kuje Area Councils.

The operation led to the recovery of 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside a vehicle at Zuba Motor Park, as well as bottles of codeine syrup, suspected cannabis, tramadol, cash and other exhibits.

Sanusi reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain its intensified anti-crime operations across Abuja.

“I wish to state that the FCT Police Command will not rest on its oars until these criminal elements are flushed out of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

He also appealed to residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence capable of preventing crime.

“I, therefore, enjoin members of the public to continue to partner with the police by providing timely information that will assist in anti-crime operations aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of residents across the FCT,” he added.

The FCT Police Arrest 560 Suspects operation reflects the command’s broader strategy of combining intelligence gathering, community policing and targeted enforcement to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking and other violent crimes.

Also read: FCT Police rescue 5 kidnap victims, kill 2 suspects

Security agencies have continued to intensify operations across the Federal Capital Territory in response to evolving criminal threats, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement.