On Thursday, operatives from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with military counterparts, thwarted an armed robbery attack on a First Bank branch and the police divisional headquarters in the Abaji Area Council.
The assailants, numbering 15 and equipped with dynamites, launched simultaneous attacks on both targets.
The swift response from the security forces, including a fierce gunfight, resulted in the death of three robbers and the apprehension of three others.
The suspects arrested were identified as Usman (surname unknown), believed to be the gang leader, Nuhu Musa, and Muhammed Aminu.
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Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT command, confirmed the details in a statement on Friday. She mentioned that some robbers fled the scene with injuries.
Additionally, an unidentified suspect was set ablaze by a mob after being neutralized by the security forces.
The statement highlighted the intense gun duel that ensued, leading to the robbers fleeing with various degrees of bullet wounds.
The arrested suspects sustained grave injuries during the confrontation. Unfortunately, a police officer who was injured in the operation was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Adeh stated, “One police operative and the gang leader hit by a bullet during the gun duel, were rushed to the hospital, and the doctor on duty confirmed them dead, while others are still receiving treatment.”
She also emphasized that a search operation is ongoing to capture the fleeing suspects.
The FCT Police Commissioner, CP Benneth Igweh, praised the effectiveness of the combined operation and reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining the safety of FCT residents.
Igweh assured that the region would remain uninhabitable for criminals, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of public safety in the FCT.
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