The FCT Police Command has arrested suspected vandals of public and private infrastructure in the city.

Parading the suspects before newsmen, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammed Sanusi, said the vandalization has not only resulted in significant economic sabotage but has also exposed residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to hazards caused by the destruction and theft of public infrastructure.

He disclosed that the suspects removed drainage covers, solar street lights, armoured cables used for the transmission of high-voltage electricity, and internet communication cables worth millions of naira for personal gain. Crime& Justice

He mentioned that the actions of the vandals have directly contributed to road traffic accidents, injuries to pedestrians, increased incidents of street crime in areas plunged into darkness, and the disruption of electricity supply to entire communities through the theft of high-tension power cables.

He mentioned that the vandalized items were recovered during coordinated operations across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative, Lugbe, and Nyanya Areas of the FCT .

He gave the names of the suspects as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa.

The police chief mentioned that the exhibits recovered will be formally handed over to the Director, Facility Maintenance, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The Niger State Police Command has dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate linked to armed robbery, abduction, m8rder in parts of the state and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, arresting five suspects and recovering 10 AK-47 rifles. Geographic Reference

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, disclosed this during a press briefing in Minna on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

According to CP Elleman, the suspected gang leader, Samaila Ilya, alias Yakumujuri, was arrested on July 10 at Kpakungu Roundabout, Minna, after earlier escaping during a fierce gun battle with police operatives in Bwari, Abuja.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Gauraka, Kubwa and Bwari.

The suspect also revealed how a member of the gang k!lled the son of a kidnapped woman and collected ransom before releasing her. Crime & Justice

“Based on reports of incessant kidnapping around Garam, Chachi, Ijah-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka and Kaduna road within the early period of this year, the Command tactical teams were deployed to these areas and further intelligence received indicated that one Samaila Shefiu a.k.a Yakumujuri 45yrs of Barikin-Sale was among the kingpins terrorizing the above mentioned areas including Kubwa and Bwari areas of FCT, Abuja,” the CP said.

“The tactical team followed up to Samaila’s residence in Bwari in an attempt to arrest him and his gang, but a gun duel ensued between the tactical team and his gang members and the hoodlums escaped from the location.

“Fortunately, on July 10th 2026 at about 6pm, the said Samaila was arrested around Kpakungu roundabout with the aid of technical intelligence.Crime & Justice

“During interrogation, he confessed to series of kidnapping in Gauraka, Kubwa and Bwari areas of Abuja.

“Investigation was extended to Sabon-Wuse where some of his gang members were located at Bwari hills, which led to another exchange of gunfire between the hoodlums and the Police team and when the enclave was searched, one AK-49 rifle was recovered with five rounds of live ammunitions.

“A week later, a team of VCRU were deployed to Gauraka for a tactical and rescue mission due to a report of a kidnapping incident in the area and in the course of this, three kidnapped victims were rescued and five other suspects were arrested;

“Amadu Abdullahi a.k.a Kachalla Baban-Tsoho, ‘m’ of Kidandam forest via Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

“Adamu Abubakar ‘m’ of Igede village via Mashegu LGA.

“Mohammed Tasiu ’m’ of Kaduna road.

“Sani Shehu ‘m’ of Kaduna road.

“Bashir Aliyu a.k.a Kachalla Mallam of Kaduna road.

“Samaila further confessed that during one of their operations in Kubwa, where a woman and her son were kidnapped and while the woman was pleading for them not to k!ll her son, he stated that one of their member who is known as Yakubu presently at large shot the son d3ad and later released the woman after ransom was collected.

“He further narrated that two of their members known as Langalanga and Shafiu had an accident at Dikko junction where three AK-47 rifles and 104 rounds of live ammunition were recovered on February 17th, 2026. Hunting & Shooting

“He added that other rifles were in the possession of one Kachalla Mallam and Baban-Tsoho which were buried in the bush and in a follow up investigation, two AK rifles buried in the bush around Gauraka forest were also recovered.

“Another two rifles were said to be in the possession of Yakubu and Babuga presently at large in which Samaila led the Police team to Bwari where two AK-49 rifles were also recovered with 36 rounds of live ammunition.

“All suspects are in custody undergoing further investigation and efforts to apprehend other accomplices are in progress.”

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have continued to sustain pressure on terrorists through series of intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, the surrender of the family members of a senior ISWAP commander, and the recovery of terrorist logistics items.

In a statement released on Saturday, August 1, the military said one of the operations conducted on July 27, troops of 5 Brigade arrested six ISWAP collaborators in Damasak, Borno State. LawEnforcement

Troops apprehend suspected terrorist collaborators, family of ISWAP Finance Chief surrenders
‘’Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly generating funds for the terrorist group through the procurement and sale of cattle at designated markets in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango. Items recovered from the suspects included one Volkswagen Golf vehicle, vehicle keys, four mobile phones of different brands, cow meat and the sum of N317,950.00. The suspects are currently in military custody undergoing further investigation.”the statement reads in part

Troops apprehend suspected terrorist collaborators, family of ISWAP Finance Chief surrenders

Similarly, on July 29, the wife of an ISWAP Chief Finance Operative and her 11-year-old son surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion through Kusuma Village.

‘’Preliminary investigation revealed that her husband, a senior ISWAP commander who reportedly served as the group’s Chief Finance Officer in Jubillaram and surrendered on 25 July 2026, had instructed her to surrender with their son after his successful escape from the enclave. Both individuals have been screened and are currently undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures.

In a related development, troops of 145 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a clearance operation at Turoh. On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists fled in disarray. During the subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered two motorcycles and huge quantities of illicit hard drugs abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

Operation HADIN KAI reassured the public that troops will continue to intensify intelligence-driven and offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and financial networks while encouraging willing terrorist members and their families to surrender. The military also urges members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information that will support ongoing operations to restore lasting peace, security and stability across the theatre.

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