FCTA combs tunnels, green areas for bandits’ hideouts

Officials of the FCT Administration on Monday combed drainage tunnels, under bridges, green areas and parks within the city centre for bandits’ hideouts. Our correspondent reports that the over five hours’ operation witnessed some arrest of criminals who specialised in drug peddling, attacking and robbing residents of their valuables in some notorious flash-points which include […]

Officials of the FCT Administration on Monday combed drainage tunnels, under bridges, green areas and parks within the city centre for bandits’ hideouts.

Our correspondent reports that the over five hours’ operation witnessed some arrest of criminals who specialised in drug peddling, attacking and robbing residents of their valuables in some notorious flash-points which include the Yar’adua Centre/National Mosque triangle.

The task force team raided the stretch between Finance to Women Affairs tunnels around Court of Appeal as well as all tunnels in the Millennium Park.

It also combed tunnels and green areas beside Abia House connecting to River Plate Park through to National Mosque and Yar’Adua center.

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FCTA combs tunnels, green areas for bandits’ hideouts

Other areas are Chescon Park, Maitama and scavengers’ den behind Abia House.

Our correspondent further reports that while three were arrested, many of the criminals took to their heels on sighting officials of the joint task force who raided every suspected hideout in the green areas.

Speaking after the operation, the Director, FCT Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima who led the joint taskforce, said the raid had become necessary following complaints from residents over misuse of subways and under bridges by criminals who attack and dispossess innocent residents of their belongings at will.

He explained that the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, had directed the JTF to take necessary action to rid the territory of these criminal elements and ensure the safety of the residents.

On his part, the Secretary, Command and Control, FCT Security Services Department, Peter Olumuji, said the team were disturbed by the enormity of the threat the challenge poses to, not only the residents, but the entire city as a whole if not immediately addressed.