The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested members of a notorious armed robbery gang responsible for multiple murders and high-profile attacks in Abuja and parts of Niger State.
Acting on the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police to conduct clearance operations between September 3 and 19, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, raided hideouts in Kagini and Madalla, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, according to security expert Zagazola Makama.
They were identified as:
Ibrahim Shaibu, alias Baba Godes, 28, from Zaria, Kaduna State, resident in Madalla.
Yusuf Salihu, 40, of Kagini.
Auwal Nuhu, alias Zabi, from Keita LGA, Katsina State.
Usman Yerima, alias Dangrugru, 28, from Jimeta, Adamawa State.
Recovered items included two English pistols with 49 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and a grey 2012 Toyota Corolla snatched in Benin City, Edo State.
Investigations revealed the gang’s involvement in several violent crimes, including the July 12, 2024 armed robbery at the Abuja residence of Umar Y. Gowa, a DSS protective officer attached to Kano State Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, where they stole his service pistol and vehicle. The stolen pistol has since been recovered and returned to the DSS.
The suspects also confessed to the June 16, 2024 killing of disc jockey DJ Bashir Dauda during an attack at Volcano Peak Hotel, Gwarinpa.
On July 20, 2024, the gang engaged security operatives at Arab Junction, Utako, leading to the neutralisation of two members, Ibrahim Yakubu of Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, and Mukhata Abdullahi, while others escaped.
The suspects further linked one Sani Ginwa, still at large, to the June 22, 2024 murder of late Brig.-Gen. Uwen Harod Udokwe at his Apo residence.
Police also recovered ten assorted Android phones from the suspects, while investigations continue to track fleeing members and recover additional weapons.
FCT police smash deadly robbery syndicate linked to DJ Bashir’s murder