Police reveal new tricks of traffic robbers in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a new trick adopted by criminal gangs in the city who recruit children and pay them just ₦500 to help rob motorists during traffic jams.

Speaking during an interaction with residents, the FCT Police Commissioner revealed that children, many of whom disguised themselves as beggars, were allegedly used to distract drivers while adult gang members stole valuables from vehicles.

According to the Police Chief, the minor approached the vehicle under the guise of seeking alms or help, thus attracting the attention of the driver, while other members of the gang operated from the opposite side of the vehicle.

“These kids are recruited by older kids. They’re the ones who will stop the vehicle or approach you as if they’re begging for something, distracting you so that while you’re paying attention to them, other kids will steal from the other side of your vehicle,” he said.

The commissioner further alleged that after a successful theft, the children were rewarded between ₦500 and ₦1,000.

“They just meet these people and if they are able to steal something, they will just give them ₦500 or ₦1,000 for them to go and eat,” he said.

The police boss also recounted a case where a traffic robbery suspect allegedly left his victim seriously injured. He gave the example of an incident involving a woman whose ear was torn while trying to snatch her earring.

“We have arrested some of those responsible for pulling off a woman’s ear because she wanted to remove her earring. They pulled it and her ear was cut off,” he said.

The commissioner alleged that some of the children involved were brought to Abuja from other states and abandoned for the purpose of carrying out criminal activities.

“Sadly, most of these children are brought from other states and dumped here just for this purpose,” he claimed.

Because many of the minors are still minors, police say they cannot be prosecuted in the same way as adults. Instead, the command collaborated with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate the children and reunite them with their families.

“If they have, because of their age, they cannot be taken to court. But we already have a place for them in social welfare institutions so they can be rehabilitated and reunited with their families,” explained the Commissioner.

He added that police also gathered intelligence information from several children to identify the adults suspected of directing the operation.

“We also talk to them and give them the same ₦1,000 or ₦500 to tell us who sent them to do the work,” he said.

The commissioner’s warning comes amid growing concerns over traffic-related robberies, child exploitation and public safety in parts of the FCT.

However, the police noted that the allegations were still under investigation and suggested that the affected children should be protected and rehabilitated rather than being labeled as criminals.