EID-EL-KABIR: FCT POLICE TO DEPLOY 13,000

The Police in the Federal Capital Territory say 13,000 officers will be deployed to prevent crime during and after the Eld-el-Kabir celebration.

Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Michael Zuokumor, said this on Friday while parading suspected armed robbers and vandals at a news conference in Abuja. Zuokumor said the deployment was imperative as crimes might increase due to many social activities during the celebration.

According to him, these officers and men will be deployed not only to fight crimes but also check indiscipline. He said the police also honoured 15 officers and men for distinguishing themselves in the service by bringing criminals to book. 'Some officers and men are being rewarded because they have distinguished themselves by their prompt response to crime and arrest of suspected armoured cable thieves.

'They recovered the cable worth millions of naira and the suspected stolen Peugeot 307 used for the criminal act,'' Zuokmor said.    The police boss, who gave the awardees letters of commendations, said each of them would receive N10,000.

Zuokmorsaid four suspected vandals were arrested on October 25 in Utako District in Abuja while stealing armoured cables. He said a Peugeot 307 saloon car marked, ABUJA FH 769 ABC, used in stealing the cables was also recovered from the suspects. According to him, a suspected house breaker was trailed and arrested by the FCT Special Anti Robbery Squad on Oct. 16.  in Abuja.

'The suspect was monitored and observed spending the naira and other foreign currency at a reckless rate more than his means of livelihood,'' Zuokmor said. He said when the suspect was interrogated, he confessed to breaking into the residence of a family who traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform this year's Hajj in an area of Abuja metropolis.

He said 60,118 dollars and N4,579 were recovered from the suspect, adding that the suspects would be taken to court for prosecution.