The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed that 140 of its officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lost their lives in 2024 due to various causes, ranging from violent protests to health-related issues.
This disclosure was made in an end-of-year statement by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, who reflected on the command’s activities over the past year and outlined its plans for 2025.
According to Disu, the officers died as a result of violent clashes, including those involving Shiite protests, and other stress-induced conditions such as high blood pressure.
He also mentioned instances of officers passing away in their sleep or collapsing at work.
The Commissioner described 2024 as a challenging year for the FCT, a region that serves as Nigeria’s political and economic hub.
Its strategic location attracts both legitimate business activities and criminal operations.
The year was marked by a variety of security threats, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, “one-chance” robberies, Illegal firearms possession, and homicides.
Despite these challenges, the police recorded significant progress.
Key Achievements
Cases Handled: 1,426
Suspects Arrested: 1,077
Specific Crime Categories:
Armed robbery: 104 cases, 216 suspects arrested
Kidnapping: 268 cases, 132 suspects arrested
“One-chance” robberies: 263 cases, 71 suspects arrested.
The command also made numerous recoveries, including illegal weapons and stolen property.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of the deceased officers, Disu noted that some families have received entitlements and other forms of support in line with directives from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
To address the evolving security demands in the FCT, the command plans to intensify its efforts in the coming year.
These include strengthening community policing, implementing intelligence-led strategies, conducting targeted operations, increasing public awareness initiatives.
The FCT Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety of residents while urging citizens to actively collaborate with law enforcement in combating crime.
As the nation’s capital, the FCT continues to face unique security challenges, making it a priority for law enforcement efforts in 2025.