The Federal Capital Territory has recorded a drop in the incidents of kidnappings and other crimes across the territory in 2024.

Mr Adamu Gwary, the Director of Security Service Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) , made this known during the department’s end of year news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Gwary described kidnappings as one of the major areas of security concern in rural communities across the FCT, particularly in 2023.

“Today, we can beat our chest to say that the number of reported cases of kidnappings have significantly dropped.

“Before now, you can hardly go a week without having a reported case of kidnapping.

“Now, when we check our statistics, you will notice that sometimes a whole month will go by without any incident,” he said.

The director, a fellow of the National Defence College, also said that the incidence of one chance crime has drastically dropped compared to the situation in 2023.

He added that the current operation against the use of tinted glasses across the city has contributed to the declining incidents of one chance.

He also said that the operations against scavengers, street hawkers and beggars also yielded the desired result.

He said that the measure had rid the city of criminal elements disguising as scavengers, beggars and street hawkers.

According to him, FCT is safer and secure as at today, when compared with the security situation in early and middle of 2023.

“Looking at the outgoing year, there are a lot of changes that the department does in terms of executing our assigned responsibility.

“Traditionally, we used to generate a monthly Intelligence report, process the same and transmit it to the office of the National Security Adviser for further action.

“This year we have done it differently by bringing our statistical information about crime and criminality, particularly the level of success our security agencies achieved in terms of busting crime, arm recovery and other activities of our security personnel.

“The data were generated to ensure that at least, it helps the administration in terms of assessing the performance of our security agencies for planning purposes.

“For instance, when we look at our statistical information, we look at what crimes are most prevalent, where the administration will channel its energy toward addressing the same.”

Gwary attributed the successes to the measures put in place by the FCT Administration in collaboration with security agencies and the support of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

He said that the minister has supported the department in ensuring that security agencies in the FCT were effectively supported to improve their operations and coverage. (NAN)

The Police Command in Ekiti has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the yuletide.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Akinwale Adeniran, gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed, but issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Sunday Abutu, on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

Adeniran also sought for more support, collaboration and obedience to law and order by the people of the state.

He said that any form of unlawful gathering, demonstration or protest was unacceptable, stressing the need to sustain the peaceful atmosphere and ensure safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

According to him, intelligence report available has it that some unscrupulous individuals have plans to hide under the guise of protest to unleash mayhem and create apprehension in the state.

“Ekiti State Police Command wishes to appreciate all the residents and good people of Ekiti State for their support, cooperation and collaboration all through this year 2024.

“These have assisted tremendously in nipping crime in the bud and enhancing the peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the state.

“Parents and guardians are, therefore, implored to advise their wards to shun any act that is inimical to the peace and security of the state, as anyone who runs foul of this directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

Adeniran said that the command had also placed a ban on the sale and use of fireworks, knockouts and firecrackers in the state.

According to him, the items are capable of causing security threat, distractions, unnecessary apprehension and health-related issues.

He also stated that the use of fireworks could create panic and confusion, as it could be difficult to differentiate their sounds from that of the real gunshot.

The police commissioner enjoined residents to be security conscious and promptly report any untoward incident or observation that might be inimical to the peace and security of the state to the nearest police station or call 08062335577. (NAN)

Police operatives in Katsina State have succeeded in apprehending a suspected fraudster, one Bishir Abdullahi, 37, who specialised in swapping ATM cards of unsuspecting people at ATM points.The police spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, told newsmen on Thursday in Katsina that the suspect was found in possession of 14 different ATM cards that belonged to different people.

He said that the suspect was apprehended after a police officer on duty became suspicious of his activities around an ATM machine. The suspect was nabbed by Inspt. Aliyu Muhammad, a police officer on duty at the First Bank branch of Tudun Katsira quarters, Katsina metropolis.“Upon instant search, 14 suspected stolen ATM cards of different banks were found in his possession.“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had been using the stolen ATM cards to withdraw sums of money from his victims’ accounts.”Aliyu further revealed that the suspect withdrew money from about six accounts at different banks.He noted that the suspect was able to withdraw money from his victims’ accounts amounting to N2.7m.He said the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. (NAN)