Three suspected armed robbers in Abuja have been neutralized by a combined security squad made up of members from the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police Force, and a local vigilante organization.
This was said in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday by SP Josephine Adeh, the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) Police Public Relations Officer.
She claimed that after a distress call was made to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Dei-Dei ‘A’ Division on February 12 at approximately 11:50 p.m., the suspected armed robbers were neutralized during a midnight operation.
She stated, “Responding swiftly, the DPO alerted the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and coordinated with operatives from the 102 Battalion, Guards Brigade, the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilante groups and mobilized to the scene.
“Upon spotting the joint security team, the six-member gang attempted to flee into nearby bushes, to launch an ambush on the operatives.
“The security personnel responded with superior firepower, engaging the criminals in a fierce exchange before the suspects were subdued.”
Three of the accused robbers were pronounced dead by on-duty medical professionals after they were taken to Kubwa General Hospital with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
The three others who had been shot were presently undergoing medical treatment.
She said, the suspects were found in possession of two locally manufactured handguns, three magazines, 19 live rounds of 7.62 ammo, two knives, and an AK-47 rifle, a taser, a cell phone, several charms, and dried leaves that were thought to be Indian hemp.
According to the SP, the FCT’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Olatunji Disu, had praised the joint forces for their prompt and quick action. He also praised the people of Filin-Dabo village for their cooperation in giving timely intelligence that helped with the operation.
He asked everyone to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to follow the Filin-Dabo community’s example of being proactive.