The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has commenced the enforcement of a ban on vehicles with tinted glasses and covered number plates across Abuja, citing growing security concerns linked to their use.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed, announced the development on Friday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters, stating that intelligence gathered by the police showed that such vehicles were increasingly being used to facilitate criminal activities.
According to him, the directive followed an order from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, and offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
Muhammed disclosed that more than 30 vehicles had already been impounded since the enforcement began.
He said, “Investigations have revealed that vehicles with tinted glasses and concealed number plates are frequently used to hide identities and aid criminal operations. This is a matter of public security, and the command has commenced full enforcement of the ban.”
The police commissioner appealed to residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the interest of public safety.
He also announced the arrest of several suspected kidnappers and criminal suspects linked to violent crimes within the FCT and neighbouring states.
Among those arrested were three suspects allegedly seen in viral social media videos brandishing AK-47 rifles while dressed in military camouflage.
The suspects — Umar Babangida, 25; Adamu Yeti, 22; and Yahaya Idris, 24 — were arrested during a police operation at Runji Village, Zuba, on May 25.
Muhammed said investigations revealed that the suspects obtained the rifles from a gang leader identified as “Esco,” who remains at large.
Items recovered from the suspects included an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and several photographs and videos showing the suspects posing with weapons.
The commissioner also announced the arrest of two suspects over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a 22-year-old man, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka.
According to police investigations, the prime suspect, Emmanuel Acha Leku, allegedly lured the victim to a remote location in Lokogoma, where he was killed following a dispute over proceeds from a fraudulent scheme.
Police said the suspect later used the victim’s phone to demand a ransom of N5m from family members in an attempt to disguise the murder as a kidnapping.
Leku and his girlfriend, Kazan Vincent, were subsequently arrested in Benue State while allegedly planning to flee the country.
The decomposed remains of the victim were later recovered and deposited at a hospital morgue for autopsy.
Muhammed further disclosed the arrest of a suspected ammunition supplier identified as Yau Sule, who had been on the command’s wanted list since 2023.
He was apprehended along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway with 81 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of belted ammunition intended for a General Purpose Machine Gun.
The suspect reportedly led investigators to the arrest of his sister, Maria Sule, who police alleged was involved in supplying ammunition to bandits and terrorists operating in the FCT, Kaduna and Niger states.
The commissioner said investigations into the various cases were ongoing and assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the territory.
