The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested six suspected armed robbers said to be behind a string of violent attacks across Abuja, particularly around nightclubs and recreational centres.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, who said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the police.
According to the statement, “On Friday, 17th January 2026, at about 5.45 p.m., acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure the immediate arrest of the criminal gang.”
She explained that the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, subsequently deployed an intelligence driven operation led by the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, ACP Victor Godfrey.
“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,” the statement said.
The suspects were identified as Suleiman Magaji, 25, Abdullahi Abubakar, 20, Abubakar Shitu, 25, Sani Ibrahim, 17, Rabiu Dahiru, 19, and Ahmen Abdullahi, 26.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were responsible for several armed robbery incidents within the FCT. One of the cases linked to the gang was a recent robbery at Crystal Lounge in Wuse II, where a hotel guest was dispossessed of gold jewellery valued at about N15 million.
Police said the stolen jewellery was later sold by the suspects for N1.2 million.
Items recovered during the operation included one black toy gun, local charms, long and short knives, as well as forty two bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.
“The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as their professionalism and gallantry. He also appreciated members of the public for providing timely and useful information that aided the successful arrest of the suspects.
