The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has said its operatives have arrested two suspected female kidnappers in possession of five little children, in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, quoted the FCT Commissioner of Police Bennett Igweh, as saying; “The operatives of the FCT police command, on April 27, 2024, at about 8:00 pm, arrested two female suspects, Kulu Dogonyaro and Elizabeth Ojah, in connection to the trafficking of five children.
“The suspects who attempted to escape arrest from Sokoto police operatives were intercepted and arrested by FCT police operatives at Kagini junction, Abuja, while suspiciously conveying five (5) children into the Federal Capital Territory.
“The FCT police command, in the spirit of oneness, have now handed the suspects and victims over to Sokoto state police command for further investigation and onward prosecution.
“The commissioner of police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, urges parents to pay utmost attention to their wards while reaffirming his commitment to ensuring the safety of the residents of FCT.”
In a related development the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) vis its Directorate of Road Traffic Service, popularly known as VIO, has impounded several motorcycles around Idu, NASENI-Karmo routes, in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The Head Of Operations, Directorate Of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, Osho Deborah told newsmen after the exercise on Thursday that the operation was carried out to clear miscreants that usually disguise and parade themselves as Okada riders to attack innocent citizens in the area.
She said the clean-up of the area became necessary following an outcry from residents of Idu axis over the excesses of motorcycle riders snatching resident’s bags at night.
Osho noted that DRTS is committed to carrying out its mandate towards enforcing traffic rules compliance to rid off adamant Okada riders that still operate in unauthorized Districts of Abuja.
“We cannot be tired.It is our mandate to rid the FCC, especially of commercial motorcycles. And that is what we are doing. As long as they continue violating the rules and laws of traffic and transportation in the FCT, we will continue picking them up.
“Idu NASENI, EFCC Area are part of FCC Phase 2, Okada are not to operate there. We have letter of complain from residents on the meanance of Okada riders that is the reason why we visited the place. Someone said by 6 O’clock you can’t pass this Street because Okada riders will snatch your phone. We know what they are doing. So, the fine doesn’t work again, we are even looking for stiffer punitive measures to make sure that we rid the city of Okada menace,” Osho said.
Osho also assured that the DRTS would approach the court as usual to get approval for the crushing of the motorcycles, to serve as a deterrent.
Speaking on the security implications, the Secretary, Command and Control FCTA, Dr Peter Olumuji corroborated that the operation was a fallout of Idu- Karmo residents passionate appeal to stem the tide of insecurity in the area.
“Especially those who live around Idu, Karimo axis,they have being complaining about the nefarious activities of these motorcyclists who are not even meant to operate in those places,” Olumuji said.
Responding to insinuations from some quarters that the recently distributed motorcycles by the FCT Minister to security agencies were part of the impounded motorcycles, Olumuji described such insinuations as an unpatriotic misconception and untrue.
“Contrary to what people are saying, that seized motorcycles are been converted for security purposes by the FCT Minister, well this is a misconception by those who have refused to make enquires on the true picture of things.
“The bikes that were inaugurated by the FCT Administration some few weeks ago is meant for security operations. it is not for commercial but for security purposes, and it is not even the bikes impounded by the Directorate of Road Transport Services, DRTS.
“Those bikes were specially bought for security operations the security agencies, the vigilante and hunters who are complementing their efforts can now go into those difficult and mountainous areas in the boarder communities and, alot of arrests have been made because of the use of those bikes in difficult terrains,” Olumuji pointed out.
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