Police, DSS launch special security patrols to protect Churches, Worship Centres across FCT

Security agencies have ramped up protective measures across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), deploying special patrols to safeguard churches and other places of worship, with particular focus on border and forested communities vulnerable to criminal activity.

In a coordinated operation launched on November 9, 2025, operatives from the FCT Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit joined forces with the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters, and vigilante groups to conduct extensive patrols across strategic locations in the territory.

The security sweep, which ran from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., covered critical areas linking Bwari to Kaduna State, Bwari to Niger State, and Gwagwalada to Niger State—zones identified as potential security flashpoints.

The operation was ordered by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen security during the ember months, a period traditionally associated with increased criminal activity.

According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the initiative aims to achieve multiple objectives: boosting public confidence, deterring criminal activity, and ensuring that worshippers can gather without fear of attack or intimidation.

“Church leaders in the affected communities have been engaged and reassured of the CP’s commitment to their safety,” Adeh explained. “They have also been advised on proactive measures such as avoiding late-night activities, maintaining contact with security agencies, and reporting suspicious movements.”

Beyond visible patrols, the security operation incorporates intelligence-driven tactics designed to preempt criminal activity. Several access routes commonly used by criminal elements have been blocked, while strategic security posts within forested areas remain permanently manned and closely monitored.

The collaborative approach brings together multiple security stakeholders, leveraging the specialized capabilities of each unit. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit provides tactical expertise, the DSS contributes intelligence gathering and analysis, while local hunters and vigilante groups offer invaluable knowledge of terrain and community dynamics.

The FCT Police Command has emphasized that ensuring public safety requires collective effort, urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security operatives deployed across the territory. “Safety is a shared responsibility,” the command stated, encouraging citizens to serve as the eyes and ears of formal security agencies.

For emergencies or to report suspicious activities, residents can contact the command through the following dedicated lines: 08032003913, 08068587311, Crime Response Unit (CRU) 08107314192, or the Public Relations Officer’s office at 07038979348.

CP Dantawaye has reassured FCT residents that the territory remains secure, pledging that the command will continue to adapt its strategies to maintain peace and safety across all communities.

The intensified security measures come at a time when places of worship across Nigeria have increasingly become targets of criminal activity, making proactive protection of religious gatherings a priority for law enforcement agencies.

The November 9 operation represents the latest phase in an ongoing commitment to ensure that residents can practice their faith without fear, particularly during the ember months when security challenges traditionally escalate.