Police arrest four additional high-profile armed robbers in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
The FCT Police Command operatives of its Scorpion Squad have arrested four additional high-profile armed robbery suspects notorious for snatching SUVs and Hilux vehicles at gunpoint in Abuja and neighbouring states.
Sources said the arrests followed the earlier apprehension of two suspects, Solomon Yande, 44, and Solomon Manger, 34, on Aug. 22, who confessed to snatching numerous exotic cars in the FCT and its environs.
According to sources , between Aug. 27 and Sept. 17, operatives led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey arrested four suspects: Emmanuel Nathaniel Uchenna, a.k.a. “Bishop”, 42, ex-convict from Oboma, Abo Mbaise LGA, Imo State; Amobi Ndukwere, 49, ex-convict from Mbogowo, Awgu LGA, Enugu State; Chidiebere Nwadigo, 25, ex-convict from Odiagu Mbano LGA, Imo State;Johnson Alfa, 42, ex-convict from Ushongo LGA, Benue State.
The sources said the suspects confessed to snatching SUVs and Hilux vehicles at gunpoint and ferrying them to Niger Republic, where they had major receivers, financiers and arms suppliers.
The police further described Nwadigo as a notorious kidnapper and armed robber. On Jan. 18, 2023, he and others kidnapped one Segun Akinyemi along with his white 2022 Hilux near Rita Lori Hotel, Garki, and demanded ₦50 million ransom before police foiled the operation during a shootout in Kaduna.
Uchenna, nicknamed “Bishop”, confessed to snatching hundreds of vehicles and named their overall leader as Yewa Yakubu Ibrahim a.k.a. “Ycome”, who is currently in Kuje Prison but still coordinates the gang.
Alfa, recently released from prison for a previous robbery, was linked to the theft of a Hilux vehicle belonging to Rainbury Construction Company in conspiracy with other accomplices, one of whom has since fled to Niger Republic with the stolen vehicle.
Ndukwere, another member of the syndicate, specialises in altering chassis numbers of stolen vehicles.
The sources said their arrest has significantly reduced cases of armed robbery and car-snatching in the FCT. He added that in collaboration with Interpol Abuja, arrest warrants have been secured for identified receivers and financiers within and outside Nigeria.
A red Toyota Corolla with registration number KMC 236 JQ, allegedly used by Uchenna during operations, was also recovered.
The sources said investigation was ongoing to arrest more suspects and recover additional exhibits.
