By Milcah Tanimu
On Tuesday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command dismissed allegations made by 14 residents of the area that their organs had gone missing. Mr. Haruna Garba, the FCT Police Commissioner, confirmed that these claims were unfounded after a thorough medical examination was conducted on the individuals who raised the alarm.
Garba revealed this information during a press briefing in Abuja, where he highlighted the achievements of the command in combating crime. He added that the 14 individuals involved are currently facing prosecution for providing false information and inciting public disturbances. He also noted that the false alarm had led to misguided mob actions against more than 10 accused persons in the FCT in recent weeks.
The Commissioner mentioned that the FCT Police Command had received reports of more than 10 such cases, primarily in the Garshi, Gwagwalada, and Kwali areas of the FCT, some of which resulted in violent mob actions by local youths. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties in these incidents.
Garba emphasized that residents should caution their children against making false claims and discourage resorting to vigilante justice or mob violence, as innocent lives could be endangered. He clarified that hospitals do not require police reports to provide medical assistance during emergencies.
In response to a question regarding Miss Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of a “one chance” robbery who was reportedly abandoned by medical personnel at Maitama District Hospital due to a lack of a police report, Garba urged residents to exercise caution when choosing taxis. He advised them to use only painted taxis from authorized motor parks, as boarding unpainted taxis, also known as “kabu-kabu,” could make them vulnerable to such criminal activities by “One Chance” operators.
It is worth noting that the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) had previously refuted the claim that Olorunfemi was left to die due to a lack of a police report, stating that she was brought to the hospital in a deceased condition.