The FCT police arrested at least 40 suspected members of a criminal syndicate around Gishiri village on Sunday.

In a statement, the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the suspects were arrested in an intelligence raid necessitated by complaints from three independent sources over the unwholesome activities of the gang in Gishiri village.

According to her, the complainants fingered some ex-convicts, namely: Awalu, Balo and Baba Ali, as the masterminds of the criminal gang.

She added that the suspects were allegedly involved in intimidation, attack, assault, robbery, and consumption and peddling of illicit drugs.

The spokesperson said the gang members were also alleged to have, on March 30, stabbed 10 residents, brutalised many, and vandalised vehicles in the community.

“They attack and obstruct policemen or vigilante members from arresting any suspect when the need arises,” Ms Adeh added.

The spokesperson said the operatives, having processed the intelligence, swung into action at about 12:30 to 02:30 a.m. on April 9 and apprehended the 40 suspects from carefully marked black spots.

She said the suspects were repulsive and violent all through the process of arrest and while taking their statements at the police division headquarters.

The police spokesperson added that police personnel from Mabushi Division had to apply force in suppressing some of the suspects who revolted after being arrested in the intelligence-led raid.

According to her, the cut-to-suit narrative in a video in circulation was a scene of police officers trying to apply minimum force to restore order.

“While the proportionality of the applied force is in question and has amounted to unprofessional conduct, the officers involved have been duly noted for sanction.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Command, and the leaders of the Gishiri community have commended the division and its leadership for promptly responding to public outcry and restoring order to the community.

“The suspects raided were immediately screened, and those with prima facie cases will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations,” she added.

(NAN)