Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Security forces in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have announced a significant operation against criminal activity in the national capital, resulting in the arrest of nine suspected armed robbers and the recovery of stolen vehicles and other items.
According to statements released by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, officers from the Command’s tactical Scorpion Squad acted on a criminal report following a break-in at a residence in the Jikwoyi area of Abuja in mid-January 2026. Residents had reported that armed robbers forced entry into the home, stealing personal belongings, an unspecified sum of money and a Toyota Corolla vehicle before fleeing the scene. Police initiated an intelligence-led investigation that led them to track down the suspects. On January 26, officers located the group at a hideout in Nasarawa State, where they were allegedly resting and preparing for another operation targeting the Asokoro area of Abuja. The suspects were arrested without reported incident during the operation.
The command’s public relations officer, SP Josephine Adeh, outlined that the suspects have been linked to a pattern of armed robberies in the territory. In addition to the three stolen vehicles recovered — including an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla (registration KUJ 549 CW), a grey Toyota Camry (MUS 234 CW) and a second Toyota Camry (MKD 372 AU) — police also seized a range of other items from the alleged robbers’ possession. These items reportedly include multiple laptops, television sets, generators and bottles of wine, among miscellaneous household goods and electronic equipment believed to be stolen or connected with their activities.
Authorities have indicated that the suspects are currently being detained as investigations continue, with further inquiries focused on identifying and apprehending individuals or networks allegedly involved in receiving and reselling stolen vehicles and property. Police sources noted that some of the recovered vehicles may have been destined for resale in neighbouring states such as Kaduna and Kano, underscoring the regional nature of vehicle theft syndicates and the importance of coordinated enforcement efforts.
The operation highlights ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police to combat violent crime and property theft in the capital region. Abuja — like other major urban centres in the country — has faced periodic surges in armed robbery, car theft and related criminal activities, prompting intensified patrols, intelligence gathering and joint task force interventions by law enforcement.
In recent months, the FCT Police Command has publicly emphasised a strategy centred on intelligence-driven policing, combining community reports, surveillance and rapid response to disrupt criminal networks. In addition to arrests linked to robbery, earlier police operations have taken aim at other forms of organised crime, including kidnappings and “one-chance” robbery syndicates, signalling a broader commitment to improving public safety across the territory.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the arrested suspects or released details on upcoming court proceedings, though standard legal processes require that suspects be charged and presented before a court within statutory timelines. Residents and motorists in Abuja have been urged to report suspicious activities to police hotlines and collaborate with security agencies to sustain effective crime prevention.
The FCT Police Command stopped short of quantifying wider crime statistics but reaffirmed its resolve to secure the capital and protect citizens and property through enhanced cooperation with federal security structures and community stakeholders.
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