The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Saka Ajao Adewale, has directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to intensify patrols and conduct coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across Abuja as part of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity and safeguard residents.
The directive, which took immediate effect, was issued on Tuesday following a closed-door meeting with senior officers at the FCT Command Headquarters.
Crackdown on Criminal Dens and Abandoned Buildings
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, CP Adewale explained that the operation was a proactive security measure aimed at preventing criminals from using uncompleted buildings and construction sites as bases for planning and launching attacks.
“This directive is aimed at ridding the FCT of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property,” the Commissioner said.
He instructed all DPOs to thoroughly raid abandoned and incomplete structures within their jurisdictions, emphasizing that such places often serve as safe havens for kidnappers, robbers, and other offenders.
Developers, Workers to Be Profiled
Adewale also directed property developers to collaborate closely with nearby police divisions to ensure that security guards, artisans, and labourers residing or working on active construction sites are properly documented and profiled.
“Property developers are urged to visit the nearest police divisions and ensure their security personnel, artisans, and labourers sleeping at active construction sites are properly documented and profiled before the end of October 2025,” he stated.
He added that routine patrols would be conducted around such sites, warning that any unidentified persons found on-site after 6 p.m. would be arrested and subjected to investigation.
Scavenging Declared Security Threat
The FCT Police Command also reiterated that scavenging activities remain banned within Abuja. CP Adewale described the practice as a security risk, noting that some individuals posing as scavengers use the guise to gather intelligence for criminal operations.
“We will not tolerate scavengers posing as waste pickers to gather intelligence for criminals. Residents should immediately report such individuals,” Adewale warned.
He urged residents to report suspicious persons or scavengers loitering around neighbourhoods, markets, and industrial areas to the nearest police division.
Community Partnership for Safety
Reaffirming that security is a shared responsibility, CP Adewale called on estate associations, community leaders, and residents to partner with the police by sharing timely intelligence on unusual movements or suspicious activities.
He further advised homeowners to verify and profile domestic staff through local police divisions to prevent infiltration by criminal groups.
“We are appealing to residents and estate managers to cooperate with the police. Every security guard and domestic worker should be properly profiled. Together, we can make the FCT safer for all,” Adewale said.
