General News
Operation Sweep raids ‘Pantakers’ markets, targets vandals, recovers suspected stolen items
….As it impounds over 25 motorcycles
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
In order to combat the challenges of vandalism of public infrastructure, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), through its special security outfit, Operation Sweep, has intensified efforts focusing on various Pantaker markets, where suspected stolen goods might be kept and traded.
The joint task force, has been working around the clock, especially throughout the yuletide season to ensure relative peace across the territory, combed such markets within the popular Jabi Motor Park and Apo Mechanic.
The move, was in the wake of reports of repeated vandalism of newly installed solar streetlights and a surge in theft of critical infrastructure, including manhole covers.
Briefing newsmen, after a visit to the International Scrap Market, Apo, and Jabi Pantaker Market yesterday, the Director, Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said the enforcement was intended to strengthen monitoring of Pantaker markets, which are often used as outlets for stolen items.
Gwary, who was represented by the Secretary, Command and Control, Dr. Peter Olumuji, said the enforcement was designed to showcase the work and sensitise people about the task force.
He said, “The reason we went out today with the media is to showcase the work of Operation Sweep, particularly the Joint Task Force established by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“This team has been working around the clock throughout the year, especially during the peak season, and as a result, there has been relative peace across the FCT.”
“We all recall that sometime last year, there was a spike in the vandalism of critical infrastructure and national assets, especially manhole covers and similar facilities.
“The FCT Administration, through Operation Sweep, was able to effectively curb that menace. Additionally, the Honourable Minister has continued the installation of solar streetlights across the territory.
” Unfortunately, we have received reports that some unscrupulous individuals have been removing batteries from these solar streetlights. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why we have intensified monitoring in Pantaker markets”, he said.
During the visit, a vehicle being dismantled for sale was discovered.
Olumuji explained that the task force verified the sale with the owner, confirming it had been legally sold to the pantaker dealers.
“This is just one of many achievements recorded across the territory. Let it be clearly stated that there is no hiding place for criminal elements within the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.
He also revealed that Operation Sweep has already intercepted stolen goods prior to Tuesday’s outing.
“Even prior to today, a few days ago within my jurisdiction, Operation Sweep personnel, while on active surveillance patrol, intercepted a vehicle conveying armoured cables suspected to have been stolen.
” During an attempt to escape, the suspects ran into a ditch and fled. However, the vehicle and the stolen items were successfully recovered. Similarly, during visits to some Pantaker markets, we recovered suspected stolen items.
” The shop owners have been invited, and the police will investigate to establish whether the items are indeed stolen. If they are confirmed to be stolen, the law will take its full course, and those responsible will be brought to justice”, Olumuji said.
He stressed that the operations are not solely focused on arrests, but also on sensitising market operators about their responsibilities.
“It is important to note that our visit is not solely about making arrests. It is also to sensitize Pantaker operators not to accept stolen items in their markets. We have clearly informed them that if stolen items are found in any Pantaker market, the leadership and shop owners will be held accountable,” he said.
Representing the Apo pantaker market leadership, Vice Chairman Hassan Mohammed described the visit as significant, and welcomed the FCTA’s efforts.
“This visit is very important, and we sincerely appreciate the effort of the authorities. We have always collaborated with security agencies, and we operate a strong task force. Before anyone enters this market with any item, they must brief our task force at the gate. We verify receipts and agreements, which we then keep in our office.
“We also enlighten our members that before buying any vehicle, they must contact the owner of the vehicle. Once you speak with the original owner and receive confirmation, you are assured that the sale is authorized,” he said.
Hassan added that the market has its own independent intelligence unit to prevent illegal trading.
“As you can observe at the market gate, we have clearly displayed prohibited items. We do not tolerate government property in this market. In addition, we have security personnel and an internal intelligence unit that works independently of the task force.
” They monitor items being brought into the market. Whenever you come to offload something they are by your side then they will watch what you carry to the market. So we don’t have any problem in this market and we are 100% in collaboration with security agents,” he said.
By Our Reporter
Aminu Baba Kusa, the second defendant in the trial of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) on Friday, June 5, 2026, admitted before Justice Charles O. Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja that he personally wrote his extrajudicial statement in the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after reading and understanding the cautionary words, preceding the writing of his statement and further admitted that he appended his signature to the statement.
He made the admission under cross-examination by the prosecuting counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, in a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the extrajudicial statement, after he claimed midway into the trial that his statement was obtained by the EFCC under duress, contrary to the provisions of Sections 15(4) and 17(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015.
The defendant, a former Group Executive Director in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, now, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited also admitted that his statement was taken after a search had been conducted in his residence and that the contents of his statement entirely dwelt on the outcome of the search.
In challenging the defendant’s claim that he spent 30 days in EFCC’s custody, spanning from November 24, 2015 to December 24, 2015, the prosecuting counsel drew his attention to the fact that he appeared before Justice Baba Yusuf on December 14, 15 and 18, 2015, during which he was granted bail and was released after satisfying his bail conditions.
The cross-examination followed the defendant’s examination by his counsel as well as that of the third defendant, Solomon Umoh, SAN.
Justice Agbaza adjourned the matter until July 3, 2026, for the continuation of the sub-trial.
The quartet of Dasuki, Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited, Abuja are facing prosecution by the EFCC on a 32-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust and dishonesty to the tune of N33,200,000,000 (Thirty-three billion, Two Hundred Million Naira).
New police chief pledges intelligence-led policing, community partnership to tackle crime
By Felix Umande, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has a new helmsman as Commissioner of Police CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu psc(+), Mnips, PhD officially assumed duty on Thursday, 4th June 2026, as the 44th Commissioner of Police in the state.
The Benue Police Command disclosed this in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, on 5th June 2026.
CP Nwadiogbu, an indigene of Anambra East LGA, Anambra State, was born on 24th April 1968. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 10th June 1994 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and has served over 30 years with distinction.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Government from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Master of Science in International Relations, and a PhD in International Relations from the University of Uyo. He is also a member of the Nigerian Political Science Association.
The new CP has undergone extensive professional training including the Basic Police Mobile Force Course, Advanced Detective Course, Tactical Leadership and Command Course, and Strategic Leadership and Command Course.
Nwadiogbu has served across multiple states in operational, investigative, administrative, and command roles. After his one-year attachment at Obudu Division, Cross River State, he served as Officer-in-Charge of Yahe Police Station, Divisional Traffic Officer, and Divisional Crime Officer in Ogoja Division. He later served as DPO in several divisions across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, including Odukpani, Nsit Atai, Mbo, Ibeno, Onna, Eastern Obolo, Uruan, Ugep, Ugeb, and Efut.
He also served as State Commander, Federal Highway Patrol, Akwa Ibom, and was among the pioneer investigators of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in Abuja.
His performance earned him elevation to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, Cross River Command; Area Commander, Okigwe, Imo State; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administration, Taraba Command; and CP Courses and Training, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano. Prior to his Benue posting, he was Deputy Commandant of POLAC, Wudil, where he mentored cadet officers.
Upon assumption, CP Nwadiogbu assured Benue residents of his commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, community partnership, and protection of lives and property.
“The Command under my leadership will remain focused on combating all forms of crime and criminality while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, community stakeholders and law-abiding citizens in the collective pursuit of peace and security,” he said.
He urged residents to support the police with timely and credible information to enhance public safety.
The Benue Police Command welcomed CP Nwadiogbu and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and quality service delivery in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s vision.
–AK-47 rifle Recovered from Crime Scene
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has saved a family from kidnappers who were to abduct them in the Byazhin area of Abuja.
and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other exhibits following a prolonged exchange of gunfire with suspected kidnappers.
The attempt was in the early hours of Thursday, June 5, when the police team promptly responded. The operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence reports about the presence of armed criminals around the Redeemed Church area near Paze Hills in Byazhin quickly came to the scene.
According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the tactical team, led by the Officer Commanding the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, swiftly moved to the area after receiving credible intelligence.
The operatives upon arrival reportedly discovered that the suspects were trying to break into a residential building with the intention of abducting its occupants.
The police said the suspects opened fire immediately they sighted the approaching security team, triggering a fierce gun duel that lasted for about 30 minutes.
The operatives however overpowered the attackers and successfully foiled the abduction attempt. The criminals fled possibly sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the confrontation.
Items recovered at the crime scene were one AK-47 rifle, a magazine and seven rounds of live ammunition.
The would-be victims were simply identified as Mr. Samson and his wife. They were rescued unharmed and moved out of the area.
SP Adeh further said the couple had been taken to the General Hospital, Gwarinpa, where they received treatment for trauma-related distress before being placed under protective custody.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, reacted by commending the officers for their courage and professionalism in preventing the kidnapping.
He further directed the deployment of enhanced surveillance and patrol operations within the area to prevent any further criminal activity, reassuring residents of their safety.
The Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory imploring residents to be vigilant and to continue providing timely information that could assist security agencies in combating crime.
The police also encouraged residents to make use of the FCT Police Command’s emergency lines whenever they observe suspicious activities within their communities.
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