The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has neutralized two armed robbers in a fierce gun duel, arrested four others, and recovered 13 stolen vehicles in a series of operations conducted by its specialized Scorpion Squad in the Jahi area of Abuja. The suspects were paraded on Wednesday in Abuja by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, who provided a detailed briefing on the incident and the progress of ongoing investigations.
On October 21, a distress call alerted police officers to a robbery incident in Jahi. Upon arrival, the suspects opened fire on the police, leading to a gun battle in which two of the robbers were killed. Two suspects, identified as Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA in Bauchi State, were apprehended on the spot, and two vehicles belonging to the gang were recovered.
“Upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire, and in the ensuing confrontation, two suspects were neutralized,” Disu explained.
Following this, a secondary operation was carried out on October 23. The arrested suspects cooperated with police efforts, leading operatives to the capture of two additional gang members: Abba Ismail, also known as “Dan-Abba,” and Ashiru Suleiman, who had initially escaped from the scene. During questioning, the suspects admitted to being members of an armed robbery gang led by a man identified as Dan Auwalu, who remains at large. They confessed to a string of robberies in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri areas, while efforts continue to apprehend other gang members.
The gang had been planning to sell a blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D, which was among the stolen vehicles recovered by the police.
In addition to the armed robbers, Disu highlighted the arrest of five car thieves in separate operations. Among them were two ex-convicts, Aji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe, who confessed to a series of car thefts across Abuja, particularly in the Garki area, where they operated for over a year. “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 stated.
One notable arrest involved a suspect named Joseph Abang, who was tracked down in Jos, Plateau State. The case began when Philemon Olaoluwa reported that his mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, had absconded with his 2006 Honda Accord after repairs and taken it to Jos. Saidu, who remains at large, reportedly passed the vehicle to Abang. Upon arrest, Abang confessed to being part of a syndicate specializing in car theft and trafficking across Abuja, Plateau, and Nasarawa states.
“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,” Disu elaborated.
Abang’s modus operandi involved receiving, remodeling, and reselling vehicles stolen by his gang members. During a search of his home and business premises, two additional stolen vehicles — a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208 — were found and confiscated. Abang remains in custody and will be charged in court once investigations conclude.
Another case highlighted by Disu involved a Toyota Hilux with registration number 03A309 FG, owned by Mr. Frank Udah. The vehicle had been stolen on October 7 by Udah’s newly employed security guard, Usman Abubakar, who had only been in his position for three days. Preliminary investigations revealed that Abubakar fled to Nasarawa State, where he handed over the Hilux to two gang members who are currently facing trial for another offense in Nasarawa.
“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 it to Nasarawa State, where he gave it to two other gang members who were arrested and are currently facing trial in Nasarawa State. While the vehicle has been recovered, efforts are ongoing to apprehend Usman Abubakar, who is still on the run,” the Police Commissioner confirmed.
The FCT Police Command has pledged continued vigilance and proactive measures to combat armed robbery and car theft syndicates, assuring residents of intensified security operations in the nation’s capital.