The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has arrested a wanted alleged notorious supplier of logistics and ammunition to bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Ahmed Sanusi, said this during a news conference on Friday in Abuja.
Sanusi said the suspect, who had been on the wanted list of the command since 2023, was arrested following a strategic intelligence-led operation by operatives of the command.
According to him, the suspect was tracked and arrested on Tuesday while on transit along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
He said that 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) were recovered from the suspect during the operation.
The CP also said that the arrest of the suspect, who had also been on the wanted list of other security agencies in several North Central states, also led to the arrest of his sister.
“The arrested sister of the suspect happened to be the wife of another wanted bandit, terrorising Kaduna and Niger States and currently at large.
“She has also been involved in the supply of ammunition to her brother for onward sale to terrorists and bandits,” the FCT commissioner of police said.
He added that preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to a network of logistics and ammunition suppliers supporting bandit and terrorist groups operating in Kaduna, Niger, and border communities in the FCT.
Sanusi also disclosed that the operatives of the command had, in a similar vein, arrested two suspects over “one chance” robbery.
He said the arrest of the suspects was in line with the sustained efforts of the command to rid the FCT of violent crimes like “one chance” robbery.
Sanusi said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the command, attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) while on routine anti-crime patrol along Giri-Lugbe Road on May 15.
He said the operatives had observed a young lady crying for help.
“Upon inquiry, she informed the operatives that she had just been robbed by suspected ‘one chance’ operators who dispossessed her of her valuables before abandoning her.
“Responding swiftly, the team immediately launched a hot chase and intercepted a blue Volkswagen Golf vehicle with Reg. No SKK 567 AG conveying the two suspects.
“During a search of their vehicle, one laptop, one iPhone, one laptop charger, two knives and scissors were recovered,” he said.
The CP pledged the commitment of the command to proactive policing and ensuring the safety and security of FCT residents.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest police station or to the command through its emergency lines.
(NAN)
