The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested members of a violent robbery syndicate linked to multiple murders and high-profile robberies across Abuja and Niger State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the gang is tied to the killings of Brig.-Gen. Uwen Harod Udokwe and popular Abuja disc jockey DJ Bashiru Dauda.
The arrests came after clearance operations ordered by the FCT Commissioner of Police between September 3 and 19.
Tactical operatives from the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, raided Kagini and Madalla in Niger State, where four suspects were captured.
Police identified those arrested as:
Ibrahim Shaibu (alias Baba Godes), 28, from Zaria, Kaduna State, resident in Madalla.
Yusuf Salihu, 40, from Kagini.
Awulu 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 live ammunition and a grey 2012 Toyota Corolla, which the suspects confessed was stolen in Benin City, Edo State.
Investigations revealed that on July 12, 2024, the gang stormed the Abuja residence of Umar Y. Gowa, a security aide to Kano State Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, stealing his service pistol and Toyota Corolla.
The pistol has since been recovered and returned to the DSS.
The suspects were also behind the June 16, 2024 attack at Volcano Peak Hotel, Gwarinpa, where DJ Bashiru Dauda was shot dead.
On July 20, 2024, the gang clashed with security operatives at Arab Junction, Utako.
Two members—Ibrahim Yakubu from Chikun LGA, Kaduna, and Mukhata Abdullahi—were killed in the shootout, while others fled.
The arrested suspects further named accomplices, including Sani Ginwa, wanted for the murder of Brig.-Gen. Udokwe at his Apo residence on June 22, 2024.
In total, police recovered ten Android phones from the gang. Investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining members and seize more weapons.
