From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has described the news making the round over an alleged kidnapping of over 200 people in the Bwari and Kuje Area Councils between December 23, 2023 and January 4, 2024 as fake news.
The police, therefore, warned those peddling the rumours to desist from their acts of causing tension in the FCT, or have themselves to blame.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, who gave the warning in a statement, however, noted that even though there has been pockets of abduction of persons in the communities mentioned, the figure was escalated to create fear and apprehension amongst the populace.
Adeh, in the statement, said: “The Commissioner of Police, FCT, in a continued effort to enhance the security of the residents and prevention of pockets of abduction, on January 3, 2024, visited communities in Bwari. During these visits, he engaged with community leaders, assessed security situation/arrangements, and took proactive measures, by deploying additional police personnel and armoured police vehicle (APC) with effort in place to extend same to other communities in the FCT. Despite these efforts, concerns have been raised about perceived inactivity.
However, revealing detailed security strategies emplaced in the above mentioned communities, publicly poses a risk to their effectiveness.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Haruna G. Garba, urged citizens to exercise restraint in sharing potentially misleading or mischievous posts, as he reiterated commitment to rid FCT of all forms of criminality. He equally called for cooperation with the police, as it would undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all.
He equally urged the populace to keep up rendition of distress call and report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883. PCB: 090222223527.