FCT Police Dismantle Notorious Armed Robbery, Carjacking Syndicate
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Operatives of the FCT Police Command have dismantled a notorious armed robbery and carjacking syndicate involved in a string of high-profile robberies and vehicle thefts across the capital.
Disclosing this on Monday, the Police Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the feat follows several strings of well coordinated operations by operatives of the command with other security agencies.
The operatives are said to have intercepted the gang as they prepared to strike an unsuspecting victim around Maitama area. Upon sighting the operatives, the criminals opened fire, leading to a gun duel, in which one of the gang’s most wanted suspects, Abdulmininu Bello a.k.a. Babanle, was neutralized.
Seven other suspects were apprehended at the scene: 22-year-old ex-convict, Ibrahim Muhammad; Abubakar Abdullahi; Sarajo Yusuf; Sanusi Ali; Abubakar Sani; Isiaka Adamu, another ex-convict and Abdullahi Isah.
Exhibits recovered from the scene include 4 AK-47 rifles, 2 locally made pistols with ten rounds of live 9mm ammunition, eleven rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, one locally made shotgun, 2004 Toyota Camry LE, and a red Boxer motorcycle.
In a similar development, operatives of the Jigawa State Police Command have successfully rescued an 80-year-old kidnap victim, Hajiya Hajara, and neutralized five members of a kidnapping gang in a daring rescue operation.
According to Adejobi, intelligence at the Command’s disposal had indicated that a group of about twelve armed bandits, had abducted the elderly woman from her residence in Sarbi Village, Minjibir LGA, Kano state, and had attempted to escape through Jigawa State.
However, in a swift and coordinated response, combined teams of police operatives attached to the Jigawa State Command mobilized alongside other local security outfits and stormed the hideout of the suspected criminals located between Danzomo and Medi villages.
A fierce gun battle ensued resulting in the arrest of five suspects, including the gang’s kingpin, 35-year-old Yahaya, while five other suspects were neutralized during the exchange of fire. The kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt and taken to the hospital for medical evaluation, after which, she was discharged.
Exhibits recovered in the operation include 2 AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated LAR rifle, fourteen live rounds of ammunition, 2 motorcycles and two mobile phones.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, while commrnding the gallant operatives for their successful strides, appreciated the cooperation of the public and called for continued vigilance, especially in reporting suspicious movements and gatherings in their communities.
