Commissioner of Police, CP, on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Ajao Adewale, said Friday that operatives of the command arrested no fewer than 15 suspected car thieves and recovered 21 stolen vehicles.

Adewale, who addressed journalists at the command headquarters, said out of the recovered vehicles, six have been returned to their rightful owners after due verification.

He explained that operatives of the command attached to Central Police Station, CPS on April 11, while on routine patrol around the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, Central Area, intercepted a Toyota Camry 1999 model being driven suspiciously by  Hassan Bukar.

The CP noted that upon sighting the operatives, the suspect attempted to evade arrest, but was promptly given a hot chase and was subsequently arrested.

Preliminary investigation, according to the commissioner, revealed that the vehicle was stolen from the premises of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission and belonged to  Samson Otijede.

“The suspect confessed to having removed the vehicle with the intention of reselling it to his usual buyer in Kaduna State,” he stated.

He added that a bunch of master keys used for car theft were recovered from the suspect.

“The suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation,” he said.

Similarly, the commissioner said  on April 10,  Daniel James of Churchgate Tower, Central Business District reported at Central Police Station that his Toyota Camry 2011 model handed over to his mechanic, Abdulazeez  Salisu was stolen.

After several failed attempts to reach Salisu and retrieve his vehicle, James reported the matter to the police.

“Detectives from  Central Police Station swung into action and traced the vehicle to  Alex Lucky Ologhosele in Gwarinpa, who had purchased the stolen vehicle from the said mechanic.

“The suspect was apprehended and the vehicle was recovered. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest Abdulazeez who is currently at large,” the CP said.

In another development, Engr Lawal Abdulrasheed of the Ministry of Regional Development reported at Central Police Station that his official Hilux vehicle, white in color with Reg. No. KWL 615 DP, was driven away by his official driver, Abubakar Sadio.

“In a coordinated operation, police operatives tracked the stolen vehicle to Kaduna State, where it was recovered in the possession of the said  Saidu who was attempting to sell it.

“Another Toyota Hilux without registration number was also recovered at the scene. The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.

The commissioner also stated that on April 28,  operatives attached to Life Camp Area Command responded to a report from a car buyer in Life Camp over a suspicious black colour Mercedes Benz 4matic E-400 with Reg. No. AAA 07 KA, which was about to be sold to him by five persons.

“Police detectives were promptly dispatched to the scene.

“Five suspects including: Suleiman Idris, Isyaku Habibu, Ganiyu Sadiq, Idowu Akintunde and Bello Muyideen were arrested. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was stolen from its original owner in Lekki, Lagos State.

“The vehicle was recovered and the suspects are in custody. They will be charged to court on  conclusion of investigation,” he said.

…As NCPWD Pays Courtesy Visit to NEMA Headquarters

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are fully included in Nigeria’s disaster risk management and emergency response frameworks.

She gave the assurance Wednesday during a visit by a delegation from the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, to NEMA’s headquarters in Abuja, a statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s Head of Press Unit.

The Director General also highlighted the agency’s resolve to strengthen its partnership with the commission, stating that no Nigerian should be left behind in times of crisis. She stressed the importance of reliable and up-to-date data on persons with disabilities, noting that such information is crucial for developing more inclusive and effective disaster response strategies.

She said, “We recognize that people with disabilities face heightened risks during emergencies, and our response mechanisms must reflect that reality.”

Speaking during the visit to NEMA, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Dr. Gufwan, commended the agency for its sustained efforts to consider the specific needs of PWDs in humanitarian interventions. He described the collaboration between the two bodies as “vital to improving the lives of persons with disabilities during emergencies” and expressed appreciation for the agency’s inclusive approach.

Also speaking, the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at NEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu Usur, highlighted some recent interventions the agency has undertaken to support PWDs. He cited relief efforts in Kano and the Karamajiji community in Abuja, where specialized assistance was provided to meet the unique needs of persons with disabilities.

Stories By Anthony Ochela, Abuja 

Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University. 

Other BOT members are Professors Popoola, Ademola Oladapo; Angela Freemanmirin; Umaru Alhaji Pate; and Shehu Ahmed Moyosore. 

The Founder/ Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin thanked all the appointees for accepting the offer which was based on their honesty, credibility and high moral integrity.

He said they were also appointed as a result of their “wholesome dedication to educational development in Nigeria and humanity in general.”

Located in Oke- Ogba, Gamon, Ilorin, Kwara State, the university is to create an enabling  environment that will guarantee excellent teaching and learning, research, digitalisation, intelligence gathering, community corporate surgery and enlightenment to promote human dignity.”