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FCT: 140 officers killed by high blood pressure, extremists in Abuja – Police

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Police stated that some policemen passed away in their sleep, while others slumped and died at work.

The Police authorities have revealed that it lost 140 officers to high blood pressure and extremists’ activities in the Federal, Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in 2024.

The Police stated that some policemen passed away in their sleep, while others slumped and died at work.

The Abuja Command made the revelations in an end-of-the-year statement by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu.

He added that some members of deceased officers’ family received their entitlements and other support.

He said: “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located at the heart of the Federation and bordered by Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, serves as the political and business hub of Nigeria.

“Its unique position attracts diverse individuals, including those with both legitimate and illegitimate intentions.

“At the start of 2024, the FCT faced significant security challenges across its six area councils, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, car theft, ‘one-chance’ robbery, illegal possession and use of firearms, homicides, and other violent crimes.”

On the command’s achievements in 2024, Disu said 1,426 cases were reported, leading to the arrest of 1,077 suspects; 104 cases reported, 216 suspects arrested; 268 cases reported, 132 suspects arrested; and 263 ‘Once-chance’ cases reported, 71 suspects arrested.

He also commented on 2025 goals.Disu said the Command will intensify, community policing engagements, intelligence-led policing strategies, targeted clearance operations, and public enlightenment initiatives.

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HeadlinesInvestigation

How Ochacho Estate subjects over 300 FCT pupils, staff to open defecation for years

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Over 300 Pupils and teachers of the Local Education Agency (LEA), Kpakpatoshi under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has been in a sorry state due to insecurity, lack of infrastructure and worse of all, inability to answer the call of nature when the need arises.

A recent visit by LEADING REPORTERS to the school recently showed the dilapidated structures, lack of access to portable water and functional toilet an eyesore to portray a primary school of repute in the 21st century, particularly in the federal capital territory.

Meanwhile, leading reporters in an exclusive interview with the headmaster of the School, Mr. Matoh Bawa revealed that Ochacho Estate Idu built one uncompleted toilet for the school after taking over the land that houses an initial toilet built by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board in 2007 for the construction of houses.

Findings revealed that Ochacho construction has fenced the toilet built by the FCT to begin construction with the intention of demolishing it while yet to complete the one built to compensate the school.

Bawa explained that both teachers and pupils for the past years have resorted to going into the bush nearby to answer the call of nature which he described as unhealthy for them such that they can breath in fresh air again, he emphasized that this act has been exacerbated by residents of the community who has taken advantage of the situation to make the school a mess.

In his words, Mr Bawa said:

“My admin officer can’t come to work today because she has stomach trouble and there is no
toilet.

“She has to stay at home, if I’m pressed now, I have to
move somewhere else. If you go there, go and see. Open defecation everywhere.
You can’t breathe fresh air. We have little children. So it is terrible now.

“We are just managing the toilet
because we have female teachers here. We have to manage. But health-wise, the toilet
is not good for humanity.

“We are using detergent because the back there is open. So we are just managing it because
we don’t have any option.”

Mr. Bawa however appeal to Ochacho to complete the toilet built, ensure water is running and provide basic infrastructure for the school which will serve as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the community.

“They have the capacity to at least do something for this school. Because the village came before the
estate. And it has benefited a lot from this village. And it’s still benefiting. We have students,
people that are coming from the estate to this school.

“They are living in the estate and they are attending this primary school. Our teachers don’t have tables they are using people’s seats they have been vandalized by criminals. So they can do that for us they can supply us with furniture.

“We don’t have potable water, whenever children are thirsty. They have to go home and it’s not good for our educational system, the law says that we should not allow them to go home. We don’t have school premises.
“We need perimeter fence. That is one of the major needs. The school needs renovation.
You can see. The school needs toilets. For both teachers and people.

“Then we need additional classrooms. These are the major problems we have in the
school. In this problem, I have listed it they can pick one and do it for us”. he added.

Meanwhile, a representative of Ochacho who spoke with Leading Reporters claim that the toilet is under construction but does not know when the construction will be done.

His words: “It is under construction sir, I don’t know, I don’t know when it will be constructed sir”.

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Headlines

House of Reps summons Wike, DSS DG, FCT CP over rising insecurity in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The House of Representatives has summoned Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with Olatunji Disu, FCT Commissioner of Police, and Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), over rising insecurity in Abuja.

The decision follows a motion raised by Ismail Dabo, a lawmaker from Bauchi state, after his aide, Nimah Sulaiman, was kidnapped and murdered by ‘one chance’ operators at Bannex junction in Wuse 2 on October 17.

Dabo expressed concern over the escalating rate of abductions and criminal activity in both the suburbs and the city centre, blaming the use of unregistered and unpainted taxis for facilitating these crimes.

He stressed the need for immediate government action to restore safety to the nation’s capital, which has become increasingly unsafe for residents.

“This heinous crime has sent shockwaves through our community, confirming the escalating insecurity in the FCT. It is our collective responsibility as lawmakers to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” he said.

The House adopted the motion, calling for the public officials to appear before the committees on FCT, police affairs, and national security and intelligence to address the security crisis.

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Headlines

Businesswoman Slumps After Losing N2.3 Million In FCT Market

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A businesswoman who has been identified as Rukaiyyat has slumped after she lost N2.3 million at the Abaji main market of the Federap Capital Territory.

According to an eyewitness, the woman, a petty trader from Auchi was at the market to by farm produce when she suddenly noticed that the money in her bag had disappeared.

The incident which took place on Friday got everyone surprised and worried at the same time, the eyewitness said.

The eyewitness said the woman was measuring melons and groundnuts into sacks when the incident happened.

“She was about to pay to traders when she noticed that her money had gone,” the eyewitness said.

He added, “She actually kept the money, which according to her was N2.3 million, cash inside a sack and as she was measuring melon and groundnut, the sack containing the money suddenly got missing.

Another eyewitness stated that the woman who crying aloud when saying that the borrowed the money in Edo to do business.

Subsequently, other traders in the market tried to resuscitate the businesswoman.

However, another women who went to console the victim, burst out into tears when she noticed that her own sack contain half bag of maize had also gotten missing.

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Police
Headlines

BREAKING: FCT police deploys anti-riot operatives across Abuja over October 1st protest

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

In preparation for tomorrow’s October 1st Independence Day celebration, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rolled out extensive security measures, deploying personnel and equipment to ensure a safe and seamless celebration across the capital.

The police, in a statement by its spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, said it has strategically positioned Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) teams, anti-riot units, and visibility policing at key locations, including the Central Area and Eagle Square, where large crowds are expected.

Part of the statement read: “This proactive deployments aim to ensure that residents of the FCT enjoy a hitch-free Independence Day celebration.

“The deployment will include Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.

“Traffic diversions will be implemented in areas expected to experience large crowds, including Central Area and Eagle Square.

“While celebrating Independence Day, residents of the FCT are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the FCT Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653, PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.”

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Headlines

Wike threatens to unseat FCT lawmaker in 2027

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to unseat an unidentified lawmaker for criticising his successes as the FCT Minister.

Mr Wike made the threat during the inauguration of the construction of Mabushi Bus Terminal, Phase I, in Abuja on Monday.

He said that he overheard a federal lawmaker castigating, on Arise TV, the successes being recorded in FCT.

The minister said that the lawmaker particularly criticised the rot in schools and the absence of quality hospitals in the territory.

You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sector?

“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027 come and run under Abuja, we will fail you.

“Do you think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again.

“Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. So that is my territory and I’m not afraid,” he said.

Mr Wike further said,“With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, what you know you know.

“The good thing for you is to tell people you don’t know when you don’t know, then people will educate you.

“The Honourable Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud and my humble self, have not been in office for more than 11months and the person is angry that people are praising us.

“If you don’t want or you are angry about that, go and hang yourself in a transformer.

“If we have done well; we have done well. If we haven’t done well; we haven’t done well. I’m proud to say that in the short time that President Tinubu has appointed us, we have done well.”

The minister warned that if the lawmaker is angry with the praises they are receiving for doing a good job, “by next year, your blood pressure level will go very high.

“This is because the praises you would see would be too much,” he said.

Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but serving in the All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government.

In a related development, Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT), who appeared on Arise TV on Monday complained that she was being sidelined in the running of the FCT.
Mrs Kingibe particularly claimed that her constituency was being marginalised, adding that there was no clean water for the residents of Abuja.

She also said that roads being constructed across the FCT were not addressing the needs of the majority of the people, namely healthcare, water, education and security.

(NAN)

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Headlines

FCT CP, Igweh revolutionizes the NPF with monitoring and mentoring unit

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

As part of efforts aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Bennett Igweh has again reiterated his commitment to the force by revolutionizing the force with the monitoring and mentoring unit.

A governance and self-reliance advocate, Light I. Shedrack reeling his recent experience with the force stated that the monitoring and mentoring unit of the commissioner’s office has created a disruptive strategy to reposition the police force and thus endear the people to a force that many Nigerians hitherto disdained.

Light explained that before now, what we mostly knew about the police was the monitoring unit which we usually ascribed as the ‘hitman’ arm of the commissioner’s office.

He noted there seems a new vision and concept that would clear this perennial misconception if holistically sustained and that is the “Mentoring” in the monitoring unit which he astonishingly had a first-hand experience of the efficiency of the Command’s “mentoring’ services adding that the Nigeria Police Force is fast replacing the symbol of threat with floral branch of communality.

Narrating his experience, Light said:

“A few weeks ago, I was invited by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Bennett Igweh through the Monitoring and Mentoring Unit MMU of his office over a petition filed by a government functionary against our organisation. My organisation has written an FOI letter requesting clarification of certain allegations against the government’s officer.

“We did not have all the information regarding the allegations and thus we leveraged the Freedom of Information Act and enquired about the allegations made.

“We felt that for us to get the proof we were looking for; we would need to extend a strongly worded letter of enquiry to the public officer, and we did.

“Anyways, the letter in question is not the crux of this writing, but the unknown or better still, the un-hyped virtue of the Nigeria police “mentoring” services.
So, when that call came, the caller said he was calling from the Commissioner’s Monitoring and Mentoring Unit. What immediately stuck with me was the word “Mentoring” and I teased the caller “Did you mention mentoring”. He said yes. And I quizzed again. “Does Nigerian Police mentor? A rather mischievous question, you’d say!

“The caller was civil and specific. He told me the call was related to a petition from someone my organisation had written to. It was not in the usual hush tone, neither was it the usual response laden with the threat of “when you come, you will be told”.
On arrival, there was absolute civility. I started the discussion. “Did you say mentoring in your call?” I curiously quizzed again.

“The gentleman answered in the affirmative and explained that the unit was not only about inviting, and arresting, it also offers mentoring and reconciliatory support services to the public. I was taken aback because, in the history of the force, we have been wired to think that the Nigeria police is synonymous with threat, brutality and coercion.
While the discussion lasted, I was offered a table of water.

“Each visitor was given one also. In all my experiences with Nigerian police, I have not witnessed that level of civility and professional conduct.

“During an interface with the Commissioner and the petitioner, the commissioner made it clear that I was right to ask the questions I did, but that our organisation rather went far with the tone of my letter. He described the ‘enquiry’ as rather a verdict and asked how I would feel if someone wrote to me in such a tone.

“I was enthused at the counsel and frankly, my flaming ego began to melt. Reconciliatory steps were initiated, and counselling was given.”

He emphasized that this is what police should stand for and this is the level of professionalism that needs to be heard of adding that of a truth, the Nigeria police force can evolve with the right vision and leadership.

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Headlines

Hoodlums jump fence, steal sallah ram in FCT

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some hoodlums scaled a fence and stole a ram kept by one Malam Mundi Shuaibu for the Eid el-Kabir at Unguwar Sabon-Tasha in Abaji Area Council of the FCT.

Leading reporters learnt that the victim’s house shares a fence with the cattle market in the area which holds every five days.

A neighbour, Abdullahi Ahmed, said the incident happened on Saturday around 1:12pm after the victim had gone out.

He said, “When my neighbour returned around 4pm and went to his backyard where he tied the ram, he found nothing.”

Ahmed noted that the owner of the ram said he bought it at N215,000 last week for the forthcoming Eid el-Kabir.

There was no response from the police over the incident as at the time of filing this report.

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Headlines

One Chance: Police warn FCT residents against boarding unpainted taxis

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The FCT Police Command has advised residents to be wary of boarding unpainted taxis, otherwise known as ‘kabu-kabu,’ to avoid becoming victims of armed robbers, also known as ‘One Chance’.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Haruna Garba, gave the warning on Tuesday at a news briefing on the Command’s achievements in the fight against crime and criminality.

“I wish to advise residents of the FCT to be wary of the kind of vehicles they board. It is advised that they should board only painted taxis from designated motor parks.

“It is risky to board an unpainted taxis otherwise known as ‘kabu-kabu’ as they may fall victims of these robbers known as One Chance,” he said.

Garba said that police operatives in Abuja, while on crime prevention patrol, rescued one Ebere Alice, who boarded a Golf taxi and was robbed by the driver and the gang members of her belongings before dropping her off.

He said that the police gave the hoodlums a hot chase, halted the vehicle and arrested three suspects.

“They include Sylvester Attah, the gang leader, who has been into One Chance robbery for the past three years, Olalekan Salihu, and Gabriel Okwashi.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and the Golf car with Reg. No TKP 624 AA used in committing the crime was recovered. Suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation,” he said.

Garba said that police operatives from Mabushi Division, acting on a credible intelligence, also arrested one Samuel Vincent, a member of a robbery gang, who specialises in robbing unsuspecting taxi passengers of their belongings.

“The suspect was about to be lynched by an angry mob before Police intervention.

‘’The suspect, alongside three others currently at large, had picked a woman (name unknown) from Karmo heading to Lugbe, and then diverted the vehicle to Mabushi area and dispossessed the victim of her belongings.

“The suspect confessed to his involvement in the crime and the car used in perpetrating the crime has been recovered. Suspect is cooperating with the police on how to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he said.

The CP also explained that Police operatives from Mabushi Division, acting on credible intelligence trailed and arrested four other suspected armed robbers.

He said that the suspects included Oluwatobi Precious (an ex-convict), Theophilous Elkana, Ibrahim Usman and Umar Ibrahim, an ex-convict.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects robbed motorists of their phones while in traffic jam around Mobil filing station, Mabushi and zoomed off in a get away golf car.

“Suspects confessed to the crime, while the said Golf car with Reg. No. DKA 288 RY, grey in colour, an Iphone 14 Pro Max and several ATM cards bearing different names and substances suspected to be cocaine were recovered from them,” Garba said.

He added that Police operatives from Lugbe Division, acting on actionable intelligence, arrested one Emmanuel Abraham also known as ‘Mosquito’, a wanted and notorious armed robber/cultist linked to various cases of armed robbery/culpable homicide and other cult activities within Lugbe and environs.

“The suspect whose cohorts are presently in prison for robbery of one Mrs Abiodun Okunde, since 29th October, 2020, will equally be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation,” he said.

Garba further disclosed that Police operatives from Kabusa Division trailed and arrested one Adamu Idris, also known as Idi, a wanted and notorious kingpin responsible for series of kidnapping around Galadimawa/Apo, Lokogoma and Kabusa axis.

“The suspect, who was sighted at Okada Junction, Kabusa, took to his heels, was given a hot chase and apprehended by police operatives.

“During interrogation, suspect confessed to being a member of a 5-man gang, whose other members are currently at large,” he said.

Garba said that the suspect was cooperating with the police to apprehend other gang members and would be charged to court soon.

In a similar development, on 21 September, 2023, one Abubakar Usman of opposite Estate Galadimawa reported at Kabusa Division that two persons later identified as Auwal Wada and Suleiman Hassan of Galadimawa village, threatened to kidnap him and his entire family if he failed to offer them N7 million ransom.

“However, an agreement was reached that he would pay N5 million. The police operatives from Kabusa laid a siege at the point of collection in a bush around Shereti village.

“The two suspects emerged to collect the ransom and were promptly arrested.

“This has been the modus operandi of the suspects as they have successfully robbed their victims in the past. The suspects will be arraigned in court soon,” he said

In the same vein, Garba said Police operatives from Mabushi Division also carried out a raid of criminal hideouts at Gishiri Village and a total of 36 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp were recovered.

“In the same operation, one Bello Ahmed, AKA Wizzy Bola, a notorious and wanted armed robber terrorizing Gishiri Village and its environs, was arrested,” he said.

According to Garba, all the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of discreet investigations.(NAN)

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President Tinubu vows to appoint an Abuja indigene as the next Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Leading Reporters
ExclusivesHeadlines

President Tinubu vows to appoint an Abuja indigene as the next Minister of the Federal Capital Territory

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The days look good for the indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory FCT as President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has vowed to appoint a native the next Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A discreet source who hinted on this said that President Tinubu countered all pressures on him to appoint one of his ‘loyalist’ into the juicy position of FCT minister.

“Several names of party stalwarts were presented to the President to choose from as the Minister of FCT.  His first question was if the names given to him were all indigenes from FCT.  When he was told that the names were his friends, close associates and that of his ‘loyalists’, the President was said to have vowed that if he or she is not an indigene of FCT, he or she does not stand a chance to be appointed an FCT minister under his administration”

The President was also quoted to have told his advisors, and associates that it was only natural, fair, and wise to appoint an Indigene as the next Minister of FCT.

He was said to have hinted that even though Abuja is the Federal Capital Territory, he believes in giving honour to whom it is due.

Furthermore, the source said that the President may go beyond party affiliation to appoint an FCT Minister. He was said to be looking for a grassroot mobilizer and a stabilizer who will help him push for the policies he has for the FCT.

One of the names being pushed forward, according to another source is the immediate past Senator of FCT, Senator Philip Aduda. Senator Philip Aduda is seen as the voice of the indigenes and is loved across boards among the indigenes. Senator Aduda lost to the Labour Party Candidate Senator Ireti Kingibe in the last election.

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