Unity Fountain robbery: Police arrest 70 suspects in Maitama

ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has arrested 70 suspected hoodlums following a raid on identified criminal black spots around Unity Fountain and its environs in Maitama, Abuja.

The operation followed the circulation of a viral video showing the alleged robbery of a victim around the Unity Fountain area.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said 30 of the suspects arrested were released after preliminary screening, while 40 others were retained for further investigation.

She added that the robbery victim subsequently identified two of the suspects as persons he recognised from the incident.

In a statement issued by the command, Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered an immediate and comprehensive raid of identified black spots around Unity Fountain following the viral video.

The statement read: “Following a viral video alleging a robbery incident around Unity Fountain in the Maitama area of the FCT, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered an immediate and comprehensive raid of identified black spots around Unity Fountain and its environs, with a view to identifying and apprehending any person(s) connected to the incident.

“In compliance with the directive, Police operatives attached to Maitama Division conducted coordinated raids across identified criminal flashpoints, leading to the arrest of seventy (70) suspects.

“Following preliminary screening and due process, thirty (30) of the suspects were screened and released, while forty (40) suspects were retained in custody for further investigation.

“In the course of the investigation, the victim was able to positively identify two (2) of the suspects as persons he recognised from the incident.”

The command said the identified suspects, alongside other persons retained in custody, remained in detention as investigations continued to establish the identities of other persons who might have been involved in the robbery.

The police urged residents of the FCT to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.

Residents can also contact the command through its emergency numbers: 08032003913 and 08061581938.