Nine Suspects Arrested By NSCDC In Abuja Over Robbery, Assault, Attempted Murder

By Bukar BOLORI

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested nine persons in Abuja for attempted murder, robbery and aggravated assault.

According to a statement signed on Thursday by the spokesman of the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Samuel Idoko, the suspects were arrested at Sabon-Lugbe, Abuja, by a combined team of NSCDC Special Tactical Squad “Operation Adaka-su” after receiving a distress call that some hoodlums had invaded the community, attacking residents with knives and making away with their valuables such as mobile phones and other electronic gadgets.

He noted that the suspects had earlier attacked and attempted to stab a personnel of NSCDC who resides in the community with a knife, but he was able to disarm the attackers, but his mobile phone was forcefully taken by the suspected criminal gang.

Idoko disclosed that the arrested suspects are eight males, Umar Badamasi, 20 years, Ahmed Rufai, 30 years, Jamilu Abdullahi, 45 years, Jamilu Lawal, 20 years, Mohammed Kabir, 57 years, Abubarkar Abdul, 27 years, Aliyu Dodo, 20 years, Muhammed Alkasim, 26 years and a female, Faith Rufai, 23 years.

He said upon interrogation, one of the suspects, Ahmed Rufai, confessed that the leader of their gang was still at large and the mobile phone taken from the NSCDC operative was sold for N15,000 only.

He said exhibits recovered from the suspects include: Indian hemp, four knives, a motorcycle, a machete and charms.

Idoko said the FCT Commandant of NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters, Abuja, has assured of the arrest of other members of the criminal gang currently on the run.

Odumosu called on all residents of Abuja to be security conscious at all times and to report all suspicious faces in their environment promptly to relevant security agencies in their vicinity.

He said that “all residents of Abuja must be involved in the battle against crime and criminality in the FCT by making sure that you report promptly, all suspicious movements and persons to relevant security agencies”.

Odumosu added that: “You cannot leave it all to security operatives alone, as we cannot be everywhere at the same time.

“If credible and timely information like this comes to us as often as possible, we would have solved the problem of insecurity in the FCT to a very large extent.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Command under his watch to tackle insecurity and protect critical infrastructure in the FCT through increased surveillance and constant day and night patrol by his officers and men.

He noted that investigation was still ongoing and “the suspects are cooperating with our investigators with useful information, at the end of the day, those found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

He, however, warned criminals and hoodlums in the FCT to look for legitimate means of livelihood or be prepared to go to jail as the Corps and other security agencies will fish them out of their hideouts.

He said: “Let me warn, that, if you are a criminal, it is better to look for a legitimate means of income or risk going to jail because we will fish you out of your hideouts. Except you relocate from the FCT, you have a date with the law and there is no escaping.”