The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested 14 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery, gun running, car theft, illegal registration of SIM cards and other criminal offences.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, Mr Benneth Igweh said this during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
He said two network jammers, seven firearms, six vehicles, 1,100 registered SIM cards, three SIM registration machines, two fingerprint machines, and one Gionee phone were recovered from the suspects.
The CP said six of the suspects, arrested by a team of detectives from the State Intelligence Unit on May 29 followed credible intelligence over alleged involvement in a national security breach.
He said the suspects specialised in the sale of already registered Phone SIM cards to criminals that operate with other people’s identities to avoid being traced or tracked.
“It may interest you to know that four different numbers can be registered under a single National Identification Number (NIN).
“These criminals employ street SIM card vendors to get the details of unsuspecting residents who buy SIM cards and register them at the same time.
“Over 1,100 already registered SIM cards, three registration machines and other gadgets were recovered from the suspects,” he said.
The CP said the suspects had confessed to the crime.
Igweh said operatives from the command, on May 19 trailed and apprehended two suspects following credible intelligence from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) over kidnapping and car theft.
He said one of the suspects who had been on the command’s wanted list was currently on court bail for a similar offence.
The CP said the duo were members of a four-man gang terrorising Abuja, and its environs and had freely confessed to the crime.
Igweh said an ash-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle, with reg. no. KSF 412 HT, a network jammer, seven SIM cards and a new number plate reading LSR 961 JK were recovered from the suspects.
The CP said operatives from the anti-car theft unit of the command, on June 7, trailed and arrested a suspect following credible intelligence over gun-running.
He said seven automatic pump action shotguns and 1,000 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the suspect.
The CP said the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of investigations. (NAN)
