The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has killed two armed robbers during a gun duel and arrested four others in the Jahi area of the nation’s capital.

Additionally, no fewer than five car snatchers were arrested, and 13 stolen vehicles were recovered during operations carried out by the FCT command’s Scorpion Squad.

Speaking on Wednesday while parading the suspects in Abuja, FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said the armed robbers opened fire on October 21 after seeing police officers who had responded to a distress call about a robbery in the Jahi area.

According to Disu, during the ensuing gun battle, the police neutralized two of the armed robbers, recovered two of their vehicles, and arrested two suspects, Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara LGA, Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA, Bauchi State.

He said, “Upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire, and in the ensuing confrontation, two suspects were neutralized.”

Disu added that after a follow-up operation on October 23, the suspects led police operatives to arrest two additional gang members—Abba Ismail, aka Dan-Abba, and Ashiru Suleiman—who had escaped from the scene.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a gang of armed robbers led by one Dan Auwalu, who is still at large. So far, they have carried out armed robberies in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members,” he stated.

Disu also identified the arrested car-snatching suspects as 32-year-old Arji Thomas from Gwoza LGA, Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Awgu LGA, Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State.

He said the trio—Thomas, Ndukwe, and Sampson—are members of a notorious car-snatching gang led by one Chidiebere, who is currently on the run.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended just as they were about to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D.

“It is important to note that both Arji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe are ex-convicts. During interrogation, they admitted to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, claiming responsibility for numerous car thefts within the metropolis,” Disu added.

Disu also explained how Joseph Abang was arrested. He said one Philemon Olaoluwa reported at the Central Police Station that his mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, had absconded with his car—a 2006 ash-colored Honda Accord with registration number RBC 40—after repairing it and taking it to Jos.

He added that Saidu, who is still at large, handed over the vehicle to Abang, who confessed to being part of a gang of car thieves operating in Abuja, Plateau, and Nasarawa states.

Disu said, “Extensive investigations led police operatives of the Central Police Station to Jos, Plateau State, where Joseph Abang was arrested. During interrogation, he informed the police that he belonged to a gang of car thieves who operated in Jos, Abuja, and Nasarawa State.

“He specializes in receiving, remodelling, and selling off vehicles stolen by his gang members. During a search operation at his residence and place of business, two additional vehicles—a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208—suspected to be stolen were also recovered from him. He is in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

Disu also revealed that a Toyota Hilux with registration number 03A309 FG, stolen by a newly employed security guard, Usman Abubakar, was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.

Disu explained that the vehicle, owned by Mr. Frank Udah, was stolen on October 7 by Abubakar, who had only been employed for three days. Preliminary investigations revealed that Abubakar took the vehicle to Nasarawa State, where he handed it over to two other gang members, who have since been arrested and are facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the security guard, who had been employed for barely three days, stole the said vehicle on October 7, 2024, and took the same to Nasarawa State where he gave the vehicle to two other gang members who were arrested and currently facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State. While the vehicle has been recovered, efforts are in place to arrest the suspect, Usman Abubakar, who is still on the run,” Disu stated.

Combined security operatives have reportedly neutralized four gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militia, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

A statement from Governor Peter Mbah’s media office, issued on Wednesday, said the operation occurred in the early hours of the day at Eha Alumona in the Nsukka Local Government Area, where the gunmen were allegedly preparing to launch attacks in the state.

According to the statement, the security operatives—comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, and personnel of the State Security Services—also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the gunmen.

“Some of the gunmen fled into the bush with gunshot injuries,” the statement indicated.

The statement further claimed that an ESN commander, who had been operating from neighboring states and was on the wanted list, was apprehended following an intense gunfight.

“The commander led the security operatives to their hideouts, where they found stashed arms, charms, and other dangerous objects.”

“Fortunately, the two security officers who sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire are receiving treatment and are in stable conditions.”

The statement added that the operation is part of Governor Peter Mbah’s ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements and hoodlums fueling insecurity in the state.

“The governor has established the Distress Response Squad, invested in the state’s Command and Control Centre, surveillance security system, and modern technology to intercept and eliminate security threats,” the statement read in part.

The Lagos State Government has launched a manhunt for the driver who set a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer on fire in the Mile 2 area of the state on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that LASTMA officers had stopped the driver for violating traffic regulations, but he resisted arrest.

LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that in an attempt to evade arrest, the driver poured petrol on his vehicle and on some of the LASTMA officers who had stopped him, set the bus on fire, and fled the scene.

The officer sustained bodily injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday, Adebayo explained that efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects.

He said, “As of the time he set the officer on fire, what was required of us was safety first. That was why he was taken to the hospital. We were also able to pick the registration number of the vehicle. So, serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend the driver and his assistant. The government is working on it and it is not going to relent until justice is done.”

The LASTMA spokesperson further revealed that the officer’s condition worsened after being discharged from the hospital.

“He was discharged after being treated yesterday until he started complaining about severe pains at about 3 am. The pain was so much and he was referred back to the hospital,” Adebayo said.

In recounting the incident on Tuesday, Adebayo stated, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been made aware of a distressing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus, licence plate LSD 355 CK, setting both his vehicle and LASTMA officers ablaze in a brazen attempt to evade arrest.

“The vehicle was intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.

“In the course of the arrest, the driver and his conductor erupted into a frenzy, resorting to pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against officers present.”

“The injured LASTMA officer, who sustained severe burns, was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.

“The agency strongly urges all commercial and other drivers to comply fully with traffic regulations and respect the authority of LASTMA personnel. LASTMA will not condone any form of violence or intimidation and will take firm and decisive action against those responsible.”

He reiterated the agency’s commitment “to preserving order and ensuring the safety of Lagos roads, as stipulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.”