EFCC arrests 12 suspected land racketeers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested 12 suspected land racketeers who operate in the Abuja Geographical Information Service.

Although the details of the arrest were sketchy, our correspondent gathered that it was carried out on Wednesday by a Special Task Force of the commission comprising its  Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, and Counter-Terrorism/General Investigation.

The EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest, said it followed intelligence reports on the operations of the suspects.

According to him, their activities have led to the fleecing of unsuspecting Nigerians of their money.

Of the 12 persons, he noted that four of them were found with suspected fake land title documents.

Also, the Head of SCUML, Angela Nworgu, said the arrest would be a continuous exercise until Abuja and its environs are rid of unscrupulous land dealers.

 She warned those who obtain money under false pretence from members of the public to desist from doing so as the commission was poised to cleanse Abuja of illegal land transactions.

The EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, had last May condemned fraudulent dealings in land acquisition in the FCT.

Speaking at the presentation of a United Nations Development Programme sponsored report entitled, ‘Systems Study on the Federal Capital Territory Land Administration and Documentary on Grassroots Involvement with Budget Process in Abuja’ Lamorde said “for some of us in the law enforcement regime in this country, if there are areas that have become interesting to visit and where fraud is being perpetuated, it is land administration in the FCT.”

The Punch