The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has killed two armed robbers during a gun duel and arrested four in the Jahi area of the nation’s capital.
Also, no fewer than five car snatchers were arrested and 13 stolen vehicles were recovered during the operations conducted by the scorpion squad of the FCT command.
Parading the suspects on Wednesday in Abuja, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said the armed robbers opened fire on October 21 upon sighting police officers who had received a distress call about a robbery incident in the Jahi area of the FCT.
According to him, during the gun battle, the police killed two of the armed robbers, recovered two of their vehicles, and arrested two suspects identified as Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara LGA, Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA, Bauchi State.
He said, “Upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire, and in the ensuing confrontation, two suspects were neutralised.”
Disu added that after a follow-up operation on October 23, the suspects led police operatives to arrest two additional gang members: Abba Ismail, aka Dan-Abba, and Ashiru Suleiman, who had escaped from the scene.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a gang of armed robbers led by one Dan Auwalu, who is still at large. So far, they have carried out armed robberies in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members,” he stated.
Disu also named the arrested car-snatching suspects to include 32-year-old Arji Thomas from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Awgu LGA, Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State.
He said the trio of Thomas, Ndukwe, and Sampson are members of a notorious car-snatching gang led by one Chidiebere, who is on the run.
According to him, the suspects were on the verge of selling a stolen blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D when they were apprehended.
“It is important to note that both Aji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe are ex-convicts. During interrogation, they admitted to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, claiming responsibility for numerous car thefts within the metropolis,” Disu added.
Explaining how Abang was arrested, Disu said one Philemon Olaoluwa reported at the Central Police Station that his mechanic at the Apo Mechanic Village, identified as Abdulhamid Saidu, absconded with his car, a 2006 ash-coloured Honda Accord with registration number RBC 40 after repairing it and took it to Jos.
He added that the mechanic, who is still at large, handed over the vehicle to Abang, who confessed to belonging to a gang of car thieves operating in Abuja, Plateau and Nasarawa states.
Disu said, “Extensive investigations led police operatives of the Central Police Station to Jos, Plateau State where Joseph Abang was arrested. During interrogation, he informed the police that he belonged to a gang of car thieves who operated in Jos, Abuja and Nasarawa State.
“He specialises in receiving, remodelling and selling off vehicles stolen by his gang members. During a search operation conducted at his residence and place of business, two additional vehicles — a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208 — suspected to be stolen were also recovered from him. He is in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
Disu also stated that a Toyota Hilux with registration number 03A309 FG, owned by one Mr Frank Udah and stolen by his newly employed security guard, Usman Abubakar, was recovered while efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspect.
Disu said the vehicle was stolen on October 7, adding that a preliminary investigation revealed that Abubakar had been employed for barely three days.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the security guard who had been employed for barely three days stole the said vehicle on October 7, 2024, and took the same to Nasarawa State where he gave the vehicle to two other gang members who were arrested and currently facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State. While the vehicle has been recovered, efforts are in place to arrest the suspect: USMAN ABUBAKAR who is still on the run, “ Disu stated.