The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, has dismissed the report making the rounds that over 200 persons were kidnapped in the FCT as exaggerated, misleading, and mischievous.
Haruna said the reports which covered the period of December 2023 to January 2024 were aimed at creating panic among Abuja residents.
The CP’s comments was made known in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in Abuja.
It reads, “The FCT Police Command is aware of the news making rounds about the alleged kidnap of over two hundred persons between 23rd December, 2023 to 4th January, 2024, in Bwari and Kuje Area Councils.
“Consequent to the above, the Command wishes to categorically state that there are pockets of abduction of persons in the communities mentioned, but the figure is being escalated to create fear and apprehension in the populace.
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“The Commissioner of Police, FCT in a continued effort to enhance the security of the residents and prevention of pockets of abduction, on the 3rd January 2024, visited communities in Bwari.
“During these visits, he engaged with community leaders, assessed security situation/arrangements, and took proactive measures, by deploying additional police personnel and armoured police vehicle with effort in place to extend same to other communities in the FCT.
“Despite these efforts, concerns have been raised about perceived inactivity. However, revealing detailed security strategies emplaced in the above mentioned communities, publicly poses a risk to their effectiveness.
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“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Haruna Garba urges citizens to exercise restraint in sharing potentially misleading or mischievous posts, as he reiterates commitment to rid FCT of all forms of criminality.”
He equally calls for cooperation with the police, as it will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all.
Earlier, in a different reaction, the FCT PPRO had unilaterally ceded the communities in Bwari Area Council to Niger state, meaning that no kidnap took place in the FCT.
However, investigations revealed that Bwari and Kuje communities as well as others in Niger and Kaduna states have been under the siege of kidnappers.
Stating further, the police stated, “Consequent to the above, the Command wishes to categorically state that there are pockets of abduction of persons in the communities mentioned, but the figure is being escalated to create fear and apprehension in the populace.”
The PPRO explained further that the FCT Police Commissioner, CP Haruna G. Garba had started taking action.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT in a continued effort to enhance the security of the residents and prevention of pockets of abduction, on the 3rd January 2024, visited communities in Bwari.
“During these visits, he engaged with community leaders, assessed security situation/ arrangements, and took proactive measures, by deploying additional police personnel and armoured police vehicle (APC) with effort in place to extend same to other communities in the FCT.”
