Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory have dismantled a suspected armed robbery gang believed to be behind a string of violent attacks targeting nightlife and recreational centres across Abuja.
The FCT Police Command confirmed that officers arrested six suspects during a coordinated operation at Dakwa, in the Dei-Dei area, where the group was reportedly planning another attack.
Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, deployed a special tactical team to track the suspects.
The operation, led by the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, ACP Victor Godfrey, followed intelligence linking the group to repeated robberies within the metropolis.
Police said preliminary investigations connected the suspects to an “armed robbery at Crystal Lounge in Wuse II, where a hotel guest was attacked and relieved of gold jewellery valued at about N15m.”
Investigators disclosed that “the items were later sold for N1.2m”
Those arrested were identified as Suleiman Magaji, 25; Abdullahi Abubakar, 20; Abubakar Shitu, 25; Sani Ibrahim, 17; Rabiu Dahiru, 19; and Ahmen Abdullahi, 26.
During the raid, officers recovered several items described as exhibits, including “A black toy gun, local charms, long and short knives and 42 bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis-sativa.”
Police said the suspects and recovered items remain in custody while investigations continue, adding that the suspects would be charged in court at the conclusion of the probe.
The Commissioner of Police commended residents for providing intelligence that aided the arrests and urged continued public cooperation with security agencies.
He encouraged residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 07057337653.
In a separate operation, the Nasarawa State Police Command announced the rescue of 17 suspected victims of human trafficking during a patrol exercise in Karu Local Government Area.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, officers attached to the Mararaba ‘A’ Division intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle at Sharp Corner while conducting stop-and-search operations on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The vehicle, bearing registration number SHD 253 YU, was driven by a 36-year-old man identified as Nanle John.
Police said the vehicle carried seventeen passengers—eleven boys and six girls—aged between 10 and 19 years.
Initial questioning raised suspicions of trafficking, prompting further investigation.
Nansel explained that the driver and the passengers claimed they were travelling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State, where they were allegedly promised farming jobs by a man identified only as Umaru.
Police said efforts to reach the purported recruiter and the parents or guardians of the children were unsuccessful, as all provided phone numbers were unreachable.
The rescued boys were identified as “Nanpar Zwaltur 19; Monday Zinglak 14; Ramnap Selchum 18; Nankat Ayuba 18; Burnan Yilkur 19; Timnan Ponfa 19; Nantip Nanbut 19; Kumlyan Nanbut 17; Zwalkur Zingdap 15; Nanfar Zwalkur 11 and Nanpar Nanbut 14 years.”
The girls were named as “Nanchu Bwoi 13; Godiya Lagang 10; Yulbyen Zingdap 10; Nanna Chirvyok 12; Sholyen Rapkat 10 and Ladi Dinfa age 12.”
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Mohammed, ordered that the children be placed in protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia.
He also directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances of the movement and to identify and arrest all individuals connected to the suspected trafficking network.
Police authorities reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking across the state.
