David Oladimeji
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded significant operational successes in the fight against crime between October and December 2025, arresting 160 suspects, rescuing dozens of victims and recovering a large cache of arms, ammunition and other criminal exhibits.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, presented a comprehensive scorecard of achievements recorded since his assumption of office in October 2025.
CP Dantawaye described the FCT as a unique security environment, given its status as Nigeria’s political and diplomatic capital and its boundaries with Niger, Kaduna, Kogi and Nasarawa states. According to him, this strategic position attracts people of diverse intentions, making proactive and intelligence-driven policing imperative.
Upon assumption of duty, the Commissioner said the Command conducted a thorough review of the security situation across the six Area Councils, identifying crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, “one-chance” robbery, car theft, drug-related offences and other violent crimes as key concerns.
In response, the Command adopted an intelligence-led operational strategy in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM. The approach was anchored on crime analysis, hotspot mapping, inter-agency collaboration and continuous operational evaluation.
Between October and December 2025, a total of 300 cases were reported across the FCT, leading to the arrest of 160 suspects. Kidnapping incidents stood at seven cases, with 41 suspects arrested following forest combing operations, intelligence-led raids and joint operations with sister security agencies.
Armed robbery cases during the period were recorded at 62, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspects and the dismantling of several robbery syndicates. The Command also recorded 26 cases of “one-chance” robbery, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects through surveillance, stop-and-search operations and targeted raids.
Car theft and vehicle snatching cases stood at 35, with 11 suspects arrested. A total of 20 stolen vehicles were recovered from operations linked to car theft, armed robbery, kidnapping and “one-chance” robbery, both within and outside the FCT.
The Commissioner also disclosed that 120 suspects were arrested for other offences, including homicide, cultism, drug-related crimes, illegal possession of firearms and cyber-related fraud.
On victim support, CP Dantawaye revealed that 24 kidnapped victims, including women and children, were successfully rescued from criminal hideouts and forest locations. Eight victims of “one-chance” robbery and other violent crimes were also rescued through prompt police intervention.
In terms of justice delivery, 96 suspects were charged to court within the period under review. Out of these, 60 convictions were secured, while other cases remain at various stages of prosecution. Disciplinary cases involving police personnel were also addressed in line with established regulations.
The Command recorded extensive recoveries, including 21 AK-47 rifles, 10 shotguns, one K2 rifle, dozens of locally made firearms, magazines, knives, cutlasses, large quantities of illicit drugs, 1,700 rounds of live ammunition, counterfeit stamps and documents, as well as cash amounting to N15.45 million recovered from various criminal operations.
CP Dantawaye further disclosed that during high-risk anti-kidnapping and robbery response operations, nine armed suspects were neutralised after engaging police operatives in gun duels while attempting to evade arrest or abduct victims.
The Commissioner paid tribute to six police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the period under review, describing their sacrifice as a solemn reminder of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives and property.
Looking ahead, the FCT Police Command pledged to intensify community policing, deepen intelligence-led operations, sustain targeted clearance exercises, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and expand public enlightenment initiatives to address emerging security challenges.
CP Dantawaye expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, residents of the territory, sister security agencies, the media, the Police Community Relations Committee, civil society groups and community stakeholders for their continued support and cooperation.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report emergencies through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883 and 07057337653, while complaints can be directed to the Complaint Response Unit on 08107314192 or the Public Complaint Bureau on 09022222352.
