The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 70 suspects in connection with an alleged robbery reported around Unity Fountain in the Maitama district of Abuja.
The arrests followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, after a video purportedly showing the incident went viral on social media.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
Adeh said operatives of the Maitama Divisional Police Headquarters subsequently carried out coordinated raids at identified criminal hotspots around Unity Fountain and adjoining areas as part of efforts to apprehend those suspected to be linked to the incident.
She explained that 30 of the suspects were released after preliminary screening, while the remaining 40 were detained for further investigation to establish whether they had any connection with the alleged robbery.
According to the police spokesperson, the alleged victim was invited during the investigation and positively identified two of the suspects as individuals he recognised in connection with the incident.
The two identified suspects, alongside the other 38 detainees, are currently undergoing further investigation as detectives work to determine their respective roles, if any, in the alleged crime.
The Command said the investigation had also been expanded to identify, locate and arrest other persons who may have participated in the incident.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious individuals, movements and activities to the nearest police formation, assuring the public that efforts were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
