Maitama, Apo, Monkey Village – 17 areas identified as criminal blackspots by police in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has identified 17 locations in Abuja as criminal blackspots, raising concerns about public safety in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The areas are Apo-Dutse Panteka; Diplomatic Zone; New PDP Secretariat; Kabusa Panteka; Ajakaita (Tungan-Maje); Abuja-Kaduna Road; Jabi Panteka; Apo-Waru Panteka; Area 1 (Monkey Village) and Durumi Village.

Others are Gwarimpa; Angwan Tivi; Mpape (Mashafa and Shishinpe villages);Durumi III (Burukutu Garden); Mabushi (Gishiri Village); Kubwa (by Pipeline and NEPA Road) and Maitama (under the Transcorp Bridge).

The command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh in a statement on Tuesday, said the police identified the blackspots during a series of strategic raids.

She said the daily raids of the identified hideouts were part of the efforts of the command to combat criminal activities and protect public and private infrastructure in the territory.

Adeh said the raids were meant to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, protect infrastructure and curtail drug abuse and trafficking in the FCT.

The statement partly read, “As part of its unwavering efforts to combat criminal activities and protect public and private infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Police Command has carried out a series of strategic raids targeting identified black spots across the territory.

“Why Do Police Carry Out Daily Raids? These proactive operations are aimed at: Preventing Crime: Targeting criminal black-spots to deter and prevent crimes before they occur, ensuring a safer environment for residents. Protecting Infrastructure: Disrupting activities that lead to the theft and vandalism of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, and power cables among others.

“The Command identified and raided the following criminal hideouts across the FCT: Apo-Dutse Panteka; Diplomatic Zone; New PDP Secretariat; Kabusa Panteka; Ajakaita (Tungan-Maje); Abuja-Kaduna Road; Jabi Panteka; Apo-Waru Panteka; Area 1 (Monkey Village); Durumi Village; Gwarimpa; Angwan Tivi; Mpape (Mashafa and Shishinpe villages); Durumi III (Burukutu Garden);Mabushi (Gishiri Village); Kubwa (by Pipeline and NEPA Road) and Maitama (under the Transcorp Bridge). “

According to her, the sustained effort has resulted in the arrest of 348 suspects, with 320 already being prosecuted in courts, and seizure of 10 trucks loaded with vandalised metals.

She said the operation had also led to the recovery of 26 manhole covers, 20 solar/streetlight poles and confiscation of large quantities of AEDC armored cables.

Adeh said a substantial quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and other assorted hard drugs had also been seized, with 11 firearms recovered since the commencement of the daily raids.

She said, “Massive Successes Achieved Through Daily Raids. The sustained efforts of the FCT Police Command have yielded remarkable results, including: 348 suspects arrested for various criminal activities and 320 suspects prosecuted and charged to court.

“Seizure of 10 trucks loaded with vandalized metals, disrupting the market for stolen items; Recovery of 26 manhole covers and 20 solar/streetlight poles, ensuring the restoration of critical public infrastructure.

“Confiscation of large quantities of AEDC armoured cables, preventing further vandalism, Seizure of substantial quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and assorted hard drugs, reducing drug-related crimes. Recovery of 11 firearms, eliminating dangerous weapons from circulation.”