FCT Police Arrest 13 Suspected Armed Robbers, Recover Firearms, Vehicle

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 13 suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate linked to multiple violent robberies across the Territory.

In a statement on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations carried out between January 10 and 12, 2026, by operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by Victor O. Godfrey.

According to the police, the operations were launched after complaints from victims of armed robberies in Asokoro, Mabushi, and Utako. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives traced the suspects to a hideout in Durumi area of Abuja, where the gang allegedly engaged the police before being overpowered, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.

Further follow-up operations later uncovered a second hideout in Apo-Waru, resulting in the arrest of five additional suspects.

SP Adeh said the suspects were positively identified through CCTV footage from one of their recent robbery operations, which provided crucial evidence for their arrest. Preliminary investigations, she added, revealed that the syndicate was responsible for a series of robberies in Gwagwalada, Apo, Waru, Jahi, Wuse, and other parts of the FCT.

Those arrested were identified as Yahaya Hassan (21), Umar Shaibu a.k.a. Sarki (23), Adahu Ibrahim (25), Abubakar Sani (20), Abdulazeez Usani (20), Aliyu Aminu (21), Aliyu Adam (18), Sadisu Samilu (20), Ibrahim Usman a.k.a. Yellow Mai Target (20), Suleiman Yawala (21), Mohammed Ali (28), Sani Hamza (25), and Hassan Abba (19).

The police linked the syndicate to several high-profile incidents, including a robbery at Dan-Shade Hotel in Gwagwalada, where victims were dispossessed of cash, foreign currency, and mobile phones; an attack at Hi-Test Travel Lodge in Wuse Zone 6, during which a police officer sustained serious injuries and a vehicle was stolen; and a robbery at Khole Home Apartment in Jahi involving residents, including security aides attached to the Governor of Kebbi State.

Items recovered from the suspects include a grey Toyota Corolla (2015), an AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated rifle, a Jericho 941 pistol, live ammunition, assorted iPhones, 100 US dollars in one-dollar denominations, and assorted charms.

Adeh said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.

She reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the police emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.