By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A major armed robbery operation was thwarted in Abuja on Monday after operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command gunned down a suspected robber, arrested eight others, and recovered four AK-47 rifles in a coordinated tactical raid in the Maitama area.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth C. Igweh, who disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday, said the operation was carried out by the Command’s Scorpion Squad in a joint tactical effort to dismantle a notorious robbery gang known for armed robbery and carjacking within the FCT.
He said the gang had long been on the Command’s watchlist due to their involvement in a series of armed robbery and vehicle theft incidents across the territory.
“Upon receiving credible intelligence that the gang was planning to attack an unsuspecting victim in Maitama, our operatives swiftly mobilized and intercepted them at the scene,” the Commissioner stated.
He explained that the suspects opened fire on sighting the police, which led to a gun battle. During the exchange, one of the suspects, identified as Abdulmininu Bello, alias Babanle, was neutralized.
The police arrested eight other members of the gang, identified as Ibrahim Muhammad (an ex-convict from Kebbi State), Abubakar Abdullahi (Plateau State), Sarajo Yusuf (Plateau State), Isiaka Adamu (an ex-convict from Bauchi State), Abdullahi Isah (an escapee detainee from Bauchi), Sanusi Ali (a resident of Kano State), and Abubakar Sani (Plateau State).
CP Igweh revealed that the gang leader, Solomon Bawa, also known as Pastor Mogu, and one other suspect escaped with gunshot wounds and are currently being trailed by the police.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects at the scene included a 2004 Toyota Camry LE, a red Boxer motorcycle, four AK-47 rifles with magazines, two locally made pistols with 10 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, 11 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and one locally fabricated shotgun.
The commissioner said the arrested suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any individuals with suspicious gunshot wounds or activities.