By Emmanuel Kwada
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dealt a significant blow to a notorious armed robbery gang, arresting its leader and neutralizing three members in a fierce operation that thwarted a planned strike scheduled for December 1. The successful mission, led by Commissioner of Police Miller G. Dantawaye, DSC, resulted in the recovery of a substantial arsenal, marking a critical victory in the ongoing fight against crime in the nation’s capital.
The operation began with the arrest of Sani Mohammed Umar, alias “Boko,” a key suspect linked to a series of armed robberies and kidnappings across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Umar was apprehended on November 30, 2025, at approximately 2:11 PM, following intelligence gathered from recent incidents in the ACO community, Dupa, and Gwagwalada.
A search of Umar’s possessions revealed a mobile phone believed to have been used to coordinate the gang’s planned attack, originally set for December 1, targeting unsuspecting residents for robbery and abduction.
Acting on Umar’s confession, the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s 176 Battalion, launched a tactical operation.
At 11:01 PM on November 30, police advanced to Gada Biyu Hills in Kwali, where the gang was assembling. The team laid an ambush, but the bandits opened fire upon sighting the operatives, sparking a 30-minute gun battle. Three gang members were killed in the exchange, while others fled with apparent gunshot wounds.
Following the shootout, authorities recovered three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and 33 rounds of ammunition from the scene. A joint police and military operation is now underway, with teams combing the forest and blocking escape routes to apprehend the remaining suspects.
The FCT Police Command has urged medical facilities across the area to report any individuals presenting with bullet wounds, providing contact numbers (08032003913, 08061581938) for reporting such cases.
Commissioner Dantawaye commended the bravery and professionalism of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Nigerian Army, while also expressing gratitude to residents for providing the intelligence that enabled the operation’s success.
“This is a testament to our commitment to ensuring the safety of the FCT. We will not relent until all criminals are brought to justice,” he stated.
The operation has been hailed as a significant step in curbing the rising tide of armed robbery and kidnapping in the region, with authorities vowing to sustain their crackdown on criminal activities in the Federal Capital Territory.
