No fewer than 32 suspected criminals were on Wednesday arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police command for various offences.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
The arrest, according to her, followed a raid operation in some identified black spots and suspected criminal hideouts at Apo by Tarabora, Angwa Tiv by Zone E extension and fish market, Apo resettlement, Abuja.
She said prior to the operation, the areas served as points of hibernation to scavengers popularly known as Baban Bola and other hoodlums disturbing the peace of Nigeria’s capital city.
According to the PPRO, the 32 suspects, comprising two females were nabbed for offences, ranging from peddling of illicit substances to erection of illegal structures and shanties.
SP Josephine said the security operatives dismantled the shanties and illegal structures erected by the suspects in the raided areas.
She noted that exhibits such as mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from unsuspecting residents, dried leaves suspected to be marijuana (Cannabis sativa), and housebreaking tools were recovered from the suspects.
Assuring the general public of an adequate investigation into the matter, Josephine said all the suspects would be screened, stressing that those found culpable would be “profiled and arranged in court to deter other intending criminals from turning these places into a brewing ground for criminals.”