The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced that its operatives have arrested 14 suspected armed robbers and recovered 17 stolen vehicles. Among those apprehended is a gang of “one chance” operators who specialise in raping their victims and dispossessing them of their valuables.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Tijani, made this known while parading the suspects at a media briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Abuja. He identified the arrested suspects as Mustapha Difcha, Ahmed Difcha, Sanusi Isa, John Emmanuel, Blessed Yusuf, Chinaza Ijere, Joshua Luka Dagana, Mohammed Sabiu, Zakariya Liman, Babajo Ishaya, Cornellius Abang, Sani Kabiru, Gambo Ibrahim, and Kandoki Ibrahim.

The Commissioner also announced the arrest of one Mr Pam Joshua, a 24-year-old resident of Bwari and a content creator, for circulating fake and unverified security information. Joshua allegedly generated gunshot sounds, which he superimposed on a video of a location within the FCT, falsely claiming that armed bandits had infiltrated the territory and were attacking residents.

Tijani, noting that the Command under his leadership has intensified intelligence-led policing, surveillance, and targeted operations across all areas within the Federal Capital Territory, assured residents—especially those in the satellite towns—of an increased police presence. He confirmed that the command has concluded plans to boost manpower in those areas.

The Commissioner, who assured the public that the command will continue to secure the lives and property of residents, stated that these operational successes were recorded between 24 March and the present date.

He further explained that the briefing “is part of our sustained efforts to keeping residents of the Federal Capital Territory informed on our recoveries and arrests from the month of March 2026 till date.”

Giving an update on the operational successes of the command over the last three weeks, the Commissioner said: “From March 2026 till date, the FCT Police Command has conducted several anti-crime operations across the FCT to combat incidents of car theft like vehicles removed from where parked, vehicles snatched at gunpoint, operational vehicles used by ‘one chance’ robbery suspects and. Through intelligence led operations and strategic deployments by Mabushi, Durumi, Maitama and Central Police Station Divisions of the FCT resulted in the arrest of eleven (11) suspects and the recovery of seventeen (17) vehicles which are being paraded today.”

He listed the vehicles recovered from the suspects, which include: “One Toyota Avalon XLE black in colour with Reg. No. LKJ 232 CV, One Toyota Camry with registration number DKA 988 MT stolen from Kaduna state and recovered in the FCT, One black coloured Ford Jeep with Reg. No. KWL 978 PP, One Toyota Corolla (2003 model) with registration number DBT 467 BZ, One Toyota Corolla with registration number KWK 221 AE, One Toyota Corolla S, dark grey in colour without registration Number, One green coloured Nissan vehicle with Reg. No. RBC 99 XP, One Hyundai Elantra 2013 model with Reg. No: ABJ 904 HL, One Nissan SUV with no Reg. Number, One Toyota Hilux 2021 Model with no Reg. number, One Toyota Corolla with Reg. No: NSR 57 AT, One black coloured Volkswagen Golf 2 vehicle with Reg. No. JJJ 112 DW, One Toyota Camry, gold in colour, with registration number ABJ 513 CN, One Volkswagen Golf 3, black in colour, without registration number, One Toyota Carina with Reg. No. CQ 302 GGE stolen from Durumi in the FCT and recovered in Kaduna State, One black coloured Hyundai vehicle, with Reg. No. ABJ 371 DZ abandoned by one chance suspects upon sighting a Police Patrol team from Central Police Station and Foiled theft of a white coloured Range Rover with Reg. No. ABJ 36 AS.”

Providing further details on the achievements recorded under his leadership, the Commissioner said: “The FCT Police Command under my leadership has intensified intelligence-led policing, surveillance, and targeted operations across all areas within the Federal Capital Territory. Today, I am here to present a summary of key operational achievements recorded across various Police Divisions, particularly in the areas of vehicle theft at gunpoint, ‘one chance’ robbery operations and removal of vehicles from where parked.”

He added: “Some of the recovered vehicles have been returned to their genuine owners after due verification, some are still here with us pending the identification of the rightful owners.”

Continuing, he said: “On the 10th of April 2026 at approximately 4:30 AM, Police operatives attached to Central Police Station while on routine patrol, sighted a suspicious a black Hyundai vehicle with Reg. No: ABJ 371 DZ parked along a lonely road. Suspecting foul play, the patrol team approached the vehicle to ascertain its occupants. Upon sighting the Police team, three suspects alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on the officers in an attempt to evade arrest. The officers responded decisively injuring and arresting one of the suspects, later identified as Jakuta Kandoki Ibrahim (m) while other members of the gang fled into the nearby bushes. A search of their vehicle led to the discovery of two female victims tied up with ropes lying in the back seat. Upon their rescue, one of the victims disclosed that she had been raped by one of the suspects while in the vehicle.”

“In a follow up investigation, one Cornellius Abang (m), a member of the gang who had fled the scene, was trailed and arrested. During interrogation, the victims positively identified him as the suspect who had tied and raped her in the vehicle before their rescue. The suspects are still in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”

“In conclusion, I would like to address the rising trend of creating and circulating of fake or unverified security information, particularly within the FCT. As you’re aware, we arrested one Mr Pam Joshua, a 24 year old resident of Bwari Abuja and a content creator last week for generating gunshot sounds which he superimposed on a video of a location within the FCT, falsely claiming that armed bandits had infiltrated the FCT and were attacking residents. Pam Joshua has been arraigned before a competent court of law for Injurious Falsehood and Breach of Public Peace and has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial. This serves as a reminder that publication of falsehood or the dissemination of unverified content aimed at causing panic and fear among the general public remains a criminal offense and counterproductive to our collective effort of securing the Federal Capital Territory. I therefore enjoin all content creators and members of the public to always verify security related information with the FCT Police Command or other relevant security agencies dissemination.” (The Sun)

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