The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested six suspected armed robbers linked to a string of violent crimes around nightclubs and recreational centres in Abuja.
Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday.
Adeh said that the suspects were apprehended on Friday, January 17, at about 5:45 pm during an intelligence-driven operation within the metropolis.
Adeh said the suspects — Suleiman Magaji, 25; Abdullahi Abubakar, 20; Abubakar Shitu ‘M’, 25; Sani Ibrahim, 17; Rabiu Dahiru, 19; and Ahmen Abdullahi, 26 — were arrested at their hideout in Dakwa, Dei-Dei area of the territory while allegedly preparing for another attack.
According to Adeh, “Acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure the immediate arrest of the criminal gang.”
“Consequently, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, deployed a discreet intelligence-led operation led by ACP Victor Godfrey, the Commander, Scorpion Squad.
“The team successfully tracked and raided the gang’s hideout at Dakwa, Dei-Dei area of the FCT, where the suspects were apprehended while planning a fresh attack.”
She said items recovered from the suspects include a black toy gun, local charms, long and short knives, and 42 bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.
According to Adeh, preliminary findings linked the suspects to several armed robbery cases within the territory.
She disclosed that the gang was allegedly responsible for a recent robbery at Crystal Lounge in Wuse II, where a hotel guest was dispossessed of gold jewellery valued at about ₦15 million.
Adeh added that the stolen jewellery was reportedly sold by the suspects for ₦1.2 million.