The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, has joined millions of Nigerians in lamenting the current high cost of petrol.

Specifically, he decried the cost of fuelling patrol vehicles in the nation’s capital.

He said that because of this, there are fewer vehicles and drivers to patrol the nation’s seat of power.

He disclosed this while speaking during the visit of the AIG in charge of Zone 7, Adebowale Williams, to the command on Thursday.

Garba said fueling the patrol vehicles of the command to patrol around the city had become a “big challenge”.

He said: “The challenges of the command are not but limited to the following; Inadequate manpower; especially drivers, inadequate patrol vehicles and fuelling. Fuelling the patrol vehicles to undertake round-the-clock patrol of the city has become a big challenge.“

Garba, however, disclosed that the command had conducted a massive raid on scavengers in the FCT.

“They have been involved in theft and destruction of critical infrastructure in the FCT. In the last two months, 212 scavengers have been arrested and arraigned in court,” Garba added.

The AIG urged the command to ensure adequate security of lives, properties, and critical infrastructures in the FCT and contagious states.

Williams said, “We must improve the visibility of police. In this regard, the recent deployment of newly passed-out recruit constables is a big boost.

“We must sustain strategic partnerships with other security agencies and other stakeholders. We must improve traffic control in Niger. Traffic officers must be on their toes to ensure traffic flows within the city.

“We must reinvigorate stop and search without extortion, effectively manned black spots, and sustain the present tempo in a raid of criminal hideouts.”