FCT: Police gun down two robbers, arrest 23 suspects
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has reported the killing of two armed robbers and the arrest of four others during a confrontation in the Jahi area of Abuja. In a separate operation, police also apprehended five individuals involved in car theft and recovered 13 stolen vehicles.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed the details of the operation during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. He explained that the incident occurred on October 21 when police officers, acting on a distress call regarding an ongoing robbery in Jahi, encountered armed suspects. Upon seeing the police, the robbers opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire. In the ensuing shootout, two of the suspects were killed, while two others were arrested. The police also recovered two vehicles belonging to the robbers. The arrested suspects were identified as Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA in Bauchi State.
“The suspects opened fire as soon as they saw our patrol vehicle,” Disu said. “In the ensuing confrontation, two of them were neutralized.”
Following up on the investigation, police arrested two additional gang members, Abba Ismail, also known as Dan-Abba, and Ashiru Suleiman, who had fled the scene. The suspects reportedly confessed to being part of a criminal gang responsible for multiple armed robberies across Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. The police are continuing efforts to apprehend the gang’s leader, Dan Auwalu, who remains at large.
In another operation, police arrested three individuals involved in car theft. The suspects were identified as Arji Thomas, 32, from Gwoza LGA in Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Awgu LGA in Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State. According to Disu, the three men were part of a notorious car-snatching ring led by an individual known as Chidiebere, who is currently on the run.
The police intercepted the suspects while they were attempting to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla (registration KTW 2155D). During questioning, the men admitted to operating primarily in Garki and were responsible for several car thefts within the city. Notably, both Thomas and Ndukwe have previous convictions.
In a separate investigation, police arrested Joseph Abang, a car thief who had received a stolen vehicle from a mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, who had absconded with a car he was supposed to repair. The stolen vehicle, a 2006 ash-colored Honda Accord (registration RBC 40), was traced to Jos, Plateau State, where Abang was apprehended. He confessed to being part of a larger car theft syndicate operating in Abuja, Plateau, and Nasarawa States. During a search of his properties, police recovered two additional stolen cars, a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208.
The police also recovered a Toyota Hilux (registration 03A309 FG) that had been stolen by a newly hired security guard, Usman Abubakar. The vehicle, which belonged to Frank Udah, was taken on October 7 and later found in Nasarawa State. Abubakar, who had been employed for just three days, allegedly gave the vehicle to two accomplices who were later arrested in connection with another crime. Abubakar remains at large, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.
