ADVERTISEMENT

Police officers attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested six notorious armed robbery suspects.

The suspects are linked to a series of violent crimes, particularly around nightclubs and recreational centres within the nation’s capital.

The robbery suspects are; Suleiman Magaji (25), Abdullahi Abubakar (20), Abubakar Shitu (25), Sani Ibrahim (17), Rabiu Dahiru (19) and Ahmen Abdullahi (26).

FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, who disclosed this on Sunday said; “On Friday, 17th January 2026, at about 5:45 pm., acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to ensure the immediate arrest of the criminal gang.

“Consequently, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, deployed a discreet intelligence-led operation led by ACP Victor Godfrey, the Commander, Scorpion Squad.

“The team successfully tracked and raided the gang’s hideout at Dakwa, Dei-Dei area of the FCT, where the suspects were apprehended while planning a fresh attack.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are responsible for several armed robbery incidents within the FCT, including a recent robbery at Crystal Lounge, Wuse II, where a hotel guest was dispossessed of gold jewellery valued at approximately Fifteen Million Naira (₦15,000,000).

“The stolen items were reportedly sold by the suspects for the sum of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1.2 million).

“During the operation, the following exhibits were recovered: One black toy gun, Local charms, Long and short knives and forty-two (42) bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis-sativa

“The suspects and exhibits are currently in Police custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, commended the officers for their professionalism and gallantry.

“He also appreciated members of the public for the timely and useful information that led to the successful arrest of the suspects.

“The CP further urged residents to remain vigilant, security-conscious, and to continue supporting Police operations by promptly reporting suspicious persons or activities through the Command’s emergency lines:

08032003913 and 07057337653.

“Together, we will continue to rid the Federal Capital Territory of criminal elements.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have once again demonstrated resilience, professionalism and superior combat capability by decisively foiling coordinated terrorist attacks across parts of Adamawa and Borno States, while inflicting heavy losses on fleeing terrorists during follow-up operations.

According to a statement signed the Acting Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant  SA Atokolo.

In the early hours of 16 January 2026, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State under Sector 4 OPHK. Alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualties to our troops and equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack. The general area was subsequently cleared and scanned for Improvised Explosive Devices and booby traps to ensure civilian and troop safety.

In a related development on the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State. The attackers initially attempted to breach part of the defensive perimeter but were met with overwhelming and sustained firepower from gallant troops with support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms. After a prolonged firefight lasting over an hour, the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw.

During the engagement, terrorists’ Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire affected Troop Carrying Vehicles and the CCTV control room which were partially gutted by fire. Despite this, troops maintained firm control of the situation. Several terrorist weapons and ammunition, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, were recovered from the terrorists.

Crucially, this engagement did not end at the FOB. Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms immediately tracked the fleeing terrorists, enabling follow-up operations along identified withdrawal routes by the Air Component of OPHK. The precision strikes by the Nigerian Airforce platforms resulted in the neutralisation of additional scores of the terrorists, dealing a severe blow to the group’s fighting strength and morale. Evidence from the exploitation confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties.

The sacrifices of personnel underscores the overall commitment of troops in securing lives and the troops of OPHK remain resolute and unwavering in their mandate to deny terrorists freedom of action, dismantle their networks and protect the integrity of the North East region. Operations continue until all threats are eliminated.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tension is rising in Umeh, a riverine community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, following allegations of attacks by herdsmen on residents and travellers.

A community leader and lawyer, Akpovienehe Duncan Afahakor, raised the alarm yesterday in a post on the Facebook platform, Umeh Need Road, warning that the situation was fast deteriorating.

In the post titled, “Umeh under attack,” Afahakor alleged that herdsmen had taken over farmlands and were attacking road users.

“No one truly understands the intentions of the group. They have occupied the Umeh bushes, preventing our people from accessing their farms. Beyond this, they emerge from the bush to attack motorcycle riders along the Umeh bridge. Just two days ago, without any provocation, one of our youths was shot in the leg multiple times,” he wrote.

According to him, the development has crippled farming in the agrarian community.

“As a result, we can no longer go to our farms to tend to our pepper, cassava, and plantain crops. The attacks have now extended to the road, and if urgent help does not arrive, there is real fear that the violence could spread into the community itself,” the post added.

Umeh, which gained access by road during the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan following sustained advocacy on the platform, is mostly dependent on farming and riverine trade.

The Isoko South Local Government Chairman ‘s Chief Press Secretary, Michael Akpodhoma said he would communicate its action on the matter by today.

However, the state Police Command said it had not received any report of the alleged attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, told The Nation: “We don’t have that report.”

Residents are calling for urgent intervention by the state government and security agencies to prevent further escalation.