By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested more than 300 suspected criminals during raids on identified crime hotspots, including uncompleted buildings across Abuja.The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Saturday while parading the suspects arrested at various locations within the nation’s capital.Sanusi said some of the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as scavengers while engaging in criminal activities, including the alleged snatching of mobile phones and handbags and breaking into vehicles parked by residents.According to the Commissioner, some of the suspects had been occupying uncompleted buildings without the consent of the owners and were allegedly using such locations as hideouts.He said the suspects would undergo thorough screening to establish their identities and determine their individual circumstances. Those found to have committed offences would be prosecuted, while those identified for repatriation would be returned to their respective states of origin in accordance with applicable procedures.Sanusi said, “If you don’t have a place to stay in the FCT, go back to where you are coming from. We will not tolerate people claiming to be searching for a means of livelihood while committing crimes by snatching phones or breaking into vehicles.“We will not tolerate or accommodate people who have no business being in Abuja. Those who have no identifiable means of livelihood have been arrested and they will be screened.“Those who need to be repatriated to their states of origin will be repatriated. Uncompleted buildings are not meant to harbour criminals. The fact that a building is uncompleted does not mean that the owner is responsible for housing those occupying it.”The Commissioner further disclosed that suspects found to have committed offences would be charged to court after investigations, while others would be dealt with in accordance with the outcome of the screening process.He said the police would sustain raids on criminal hideouts, scavenger points and uncompleted buildings across the FCT as part of efforts to reduce crime and improve public safety.Sanusi added that the operation would be carried out regularly, stressing that the command had been directed by the Inspector General of Police to intensify efforts to tackle criminal activities within the nation’s capital.“We are going to continue to raid hideouts and scavenger points, especially those in uncompleted buildings. We have been mandated by the Inspector General of Police to ensure that we bring this down as much as possible. The raids will continue,” he said.