The Nigeria Police Force said it lost a total of 140 officers in the Federal Capital Territory last year.
In an end-of-the-year statement by the FCT Police Command on the achievement recorded from January to December 2024, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, said some of his 140 active-duty officers perished as a result of Shiites, other violent protests, and high blood pressure in Abuja in 2024.
He stated that some policemen also passed away while they were sleeping and others slumped and passed away at work.
He added that certain members of the deceased officer’s family received their entitlements and other support as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located at the heart of the Federation and bordered by Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, serves as the political and business hub of Nigeria.
“Its unique position attracts diverse individuals, including those with both legitimate and illegitimate intentions.
“At the start of 2024, the FCT faced significant security challenges across its six area councils, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, car theft, “one-chance” robbery, illegal possession and use of firearms, homicides, and other violent crimes,” the statement said in part.
Listing some of the command’s achievements last year, Disu said a total of 1,426 cases were reported, leading to the arrest of 1,077 suspects, 104 cases reported; 216 suspects arrested, 268 cases reported; 132 suspects arrested, 263 once-chance cases reported; 71 suspects arrested.
He also listed other achievements, and recoveries during the year under review.
While speaking about the command’s plan for 2025, Disu said building on the successes of 2024, the command will intensify, community policing engagements, intelligence-led policing strategies, targeted clearance operations, and public enlightenment initiatives to address the evolving security demands of the FCT.
