Crime

How Police found 131 vandalised armoured electricity cables in tinted-glass vehicle

Published

6 months ago

December 19, 2025

Operatives of the FCT Police Command in the early hours of Friday, foiled attempts by criminal elements who had vandalised several transformers and electricity distribution armoured cables in Abuja to move about 100 of such cables to their buyers with a tinted-glassed vehicle.

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The vehicle conveying the stolen cables had an accident after the driver sighted a Police patrol team.

Following the accident and escape of the occupants of the vehicle, the Police patrol team approached the vehicle, only to discover 131 vandalised electricity distribution cables inside, suspected of being moved to receivers.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Gajere Dantawaye, who made this known at a briefing in Abuja, also stated that since his assumption of duty in October 2025, the Police command has arrested 160 criminal elements.

Their crimes, he said, related to armed robbery, kidnapping, one-chance robbery, car theft, cultism, illegal possession of fire-arms, cyber-related fraud, and other violent crimes.

He noted that “During several high-risk operations, particularly anti-kidnapping and response to robbery operations, nine armed suspects were neutralised following gun duels with police operatives while attempting to evade arrest or take away hostages.

Dantawaye said, “A total of 300 cases were reported leading to the arrest of 160 suspects across various categories of crime.

He said 41 kidnapping suspects were arrested following 7 kidnapping cases which were recorded.

He added that, “Several kidnapping gangs operating within and around the FCT were disrupted through intelligence-led operations, forest combing exercises, and joint operations with sister security agencies.

Six-two (62) armed robbery cases were during the time under review, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspects.

“These operations led to the dismantling of several armed robbery syndicates and recovery of firearms and live ammunition.

“Twenty-six (26) “one-chance” robbery cases were recorded during the period resulting in the arrest of 12 suspects after sustained surveillance, stop-and-search operations, and targeted raids.

“Thirty-five cases of car theft and vehicle snatching were recorded during the period, with 11 suspects arrested and 20 stolen vehicles recovered, comprising vehicles recovered from car theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, and “one-chance” robbery operations, within and outside the FCT.

CP Dantawaye further said 120 suspects were apprehended for crimes relating to homicide, cultism, drug-related offences, illegal possession of firearms, cyber-related fraud, and other violent crimes.

… kidnapping

On kidnapping, he said, “The Command successfully rescued 24 victims of kidnap including women and children, from criminal hideouts and forest locations within and around the FCT.

“Victims of “one-chance” robbery and other violent crimes numbering 8 were also rescued following prompt police interventions.

Continuing, he said, “In line with the Command’s commitment to due process and effective justice delivery, 96 suspects were charged to court during this period. Of these, 60 convictions were secured, while other cases remain at various stages of prosecution.

“The cases charged include kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, fraud-related offences, cultism, burglary, and other serious crimes.

“Disciplinary cases involving police personnel were also addressed through appropriate internal mechanisms in accordance with extant regulations.

“Fourteen (14) vehicles linked to car theft, armed robbery, kidnapping and “one-chance” robbery cases were recovered both within and outside the FCT while 12 counterfeit stamps and Counterfeit boarding tickets were recovered.

“Also, Cash recoveries were made from various criminal operations within the period amounting to fifteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira (N15,450,000) only, including proceeds of kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, and other crimes.

Exhibit

Significant firearms and other exhibits recovered recorded during the period include; 21 AK-47 rifles, 10 shotguns, One K2 rifle, 37 locally made pistols, 31 locally fabricated firearms, 4.Magazines, 13 knives, 7 cutlasses, 2 long scaffold rods and 7 phones.

Others are 86 bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, 4 digital scales, 131Armored cables hidden in a tinted glass vehicle, Hand saw and iron bar, 3 ATM cards, 2 ID cards, Large quantity of illicit drugs and substances, 193 rounds of live ammunition of various calibers

Other exhibits recovered include communication devices, motorcycles, dangerous weapons, and other items linked to criminal activities.

On Police officers who lost their lives during the period, The FCT Police boss said, “It is with deep respect that the Command records that 6 police officers paid the supreme price in the line of duty during the period under review. Their sacrifices remain a solemn reminder of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives and property. May their souls rest in peace.

“Building on the operational gains recorded since my assumption of duty, FCT Police Command will continue to intensify on community policing engagements, deepen intelligence-led policing strategies, sustain targeted clearance operations, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and expand public enlightenment initiatives to address evolving security challenges within the FCT.

He appreciated the Inspector General of Police for his strategic guidance, the Minister of the FCT for his continuous support, residents of the Federal Capital Territory, sister security agencies, vigilante groups, and community policing stakeholders for their support and cooperation during the period.

Source: VANGUARD

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Post Views: 383

Crime

150 terrorists convicted in 48 hours, says AGF

Published

2 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Government has secured approximately 150 convictions within the first two days of its latest phase of mass terrorism trials, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed on Tuesday.

Fagbemi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the trials are being conducted simultaneously before 10 judges of the court.

The AGF said the current phase, which commenced on Monday, had already recorded about 160 trials leading to roughly 150 convictions on its first day alone.

“Yesterday, we had about 160 trials. I think about 150 convictions,” Fagbemi told reporters.

He added that proceedings on Tuesday brought approximately 300 cases before the courts, with another 84 cases expected to be concluded before the close of the day.

“Whatever we can do, or wherever we stop today, we’ll continue tomorrow and also on Thursday. So it’s still ongoing,” the minister said.

Fagbemi appealed for patience from members of the public as the exercise continued, stressing that the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

On Monday, the AGF had said the ongoing phase marked the fourth round of mass terrorism trials conducted since the inception of the current administration, describing the exercise as a clear signal that the government would not tolerate terrorism in any form.

“The message is clear, direct and straightforward. It is that the present administration is not taking the issue of terrorism with levity. And that is why you see ongoing trials.

“Since the inception of this administration, this is about the fourth phase that we are undertaking. So the message is that let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated,” Fagbemi added.

The prosecution is being led by the AGF himself, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence team.

Among the judges handling the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan, with proceedings taking place across several courtrooms simultaneously.

The current phase of trials is expected to run through Thursday, with the overall exercise scheduled to last one week.

The latest phase follows a previous round conducted between April 7 and April 10, during which no fewer than 500 alleged terrorists were tried before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Post Views: 33

Crime

Police arrest man for sharing fake video of bandit attack in Ekiti

Published

22 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a man, Sunday Olawale, over allegedly spreading fake news of bandits’ attack on Are Ekiti in the Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that the suspect, who confessed to the crime, had been unable to give a reason for the false information.

Abutu stated, “The Police Command wishes to reiterate that there was no bandit invasion in Are Ekiti or any part of the Ekiti State”.

The statement reads in part: “On 14th of June, 2026, the Command Rapid Response Squad trailed and arrested one Sunday Olawale at Ekute area of Ado Ekiti for cyberstalking and giving of false information intended to cause breakdown of law and order.

“It would be recalled that on the 12th of June 2026, a video was circulating on social media claiming that bandits had invaded Are Ekiti. The video was later confirmed to be false.

“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to having peddled the false information on social media and was unable to give any satisfactory reason for his action.

“The State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, while warning that the Command will not tolerate any act of fake news peddling or content capable of initiating panic among members of the public, advises members of the public to always verify information they believe or share on social media,” the PPRO stated.

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Crime

Police confirm three security operatives killed in NIPSS Plateau gunmen attack

Published

22 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that three security operatives were killed in an attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, in the early hours of Monday.

In an information update in Jos on Tuesday, signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command said, “The Plateau State Police Command, on a very sad note, wishes to confirm the incident that occurred in the early hours of today, 16th June 2026, involving security personnel on duty at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru.

“Regrettably, three security personnel lost their lives during the incident.”

The command disclosed that security has been beefed up around the facility following the attack.

“Security reinforcements have been deployed, and patrols have been intensified around the general area by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah,” SP Alabo stated.

The police also assured residents that calm has returned to the area.

“The situation is under control and normal activities have resumed,” the statement added.

On the next steps, the command said, “Investigation is ongoing. The command urges members of the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.”

The PPRO concluded that “Further updates will be communicated in due course.”

NIPSS Kuru is Nigeria’s premier policy training institution for senior public officials.

The attack marks one of the most serious security breaches at the facility in recent years.