FCT Police operatives, in a coordinated joint tactical operation led by the elite Scorpion Squad, have neutralised a notorious and wanted armed robber and successfully dismantled a seven-member gang involved in a series of armed robbery and carjacking incidents across the capital.
According to a statement by the police, the gang had been on the command’s watchlist due to their involvement in multiple armed robbery and vehicle theft cases. Acting on credible intelligence that the syndicate was planning an attack in the Maitama area on May 19, 2025, officers moved swiftly and intercepted the suspects earlier, on May 15, 2025.
Upon confrontation, the suspects opened fire on the police, prompting a gun battle. During the exchange, one of the gang members, Abdulmininu Bello, also known as Babanle, was neutralised. Eight others were arrested at the scene. They include: Ibrahim Muhammad (22), ex-convict from Kebbi State, Abubakar Abdullahi (22), from Plateau State, Sarajo Yusuf (20), from Plateau State, Isiaka Adamu, ex-convict from Bauchi State
Abdullahi Isah (18), an escaped detainee from Bauchi State, Sanusi Ali (51), resident of Kano State, Abubakar Sani, from Plateau State
The gang leader, Solomon Bawa, aka Pastor Mogu, along with one other suspect, fled the scene with gunshot wounds. The police have urged members of the public to report anyone with unexplained injuries for further investigation.
Recovered from the scene were several exhibits, including: A 2004 Toyota Camry LE, One red Boxer motorcycle, Two locally made pistols with ten rounds of live 9mm ammunition, Four AK-47 rifles with magazines, Eleven rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, One locally made shotgun
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to being part of a violent criminal network specialising in the theft of SUVs and luxury vehicles, often targeting victims during late-night ambushes or through deceptive tactics. They revealed that they used a WhatsApp group to coordinate attacks, often aided by insider information from domestic workers.
The suspects also confessed to selling a custom-painted Toyota Camry, commonly referred to as “Big-for-Nothing,” for ₦700,000 and a Lexus SUV for ₦1 million. Disturbingly, they admitted involvement in the 2015 murder of an MTN staff member in Kaduna State.
FCT Commissioner of Police praised the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved and reiterated the Command’s commitment to eliminating violent crime in the territory.
All arrested suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
