Police Arrest high profile Suspect Linked to Murder of Army General in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Police Force(NPF) FCT Command has arrested a key suspect linked to the murder of Brigadier General Uwen Harold Udokwere, who was assassinated at his residence in Lokogoma, Abuja, on January 23, 2024.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, Alkasim Mohammed, 18, was apprehended alongside his accomplice, Suleiman Abdullahi, 22, during a coordinated operation by the Scorpion Squad at Durumi Phase 2, Abuja.
The sources said that the police recovered a Beretta pistol with breach No. 58866, along with eleven (11) rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a notorious gang responsible for multiple high-profile crimes in the FCT, including: The murder of Brigadier General Udokwere, a retired senior military officer who was fatally attacked in his home in Lokogoma by armed robbers after gaining access through the fence and shot him.
“The suspects admitted to the March 7, 2024, murder of Alhaji Auwal Abdullahi, a Bureau De Change operator at Room 303, Rita Lori Hotel, Garki. The same pistol recovered from the suspects was allegedly used to rob a POS operator, Miss Mercy Alo, of ₦700,000 at her shop in Jabi. The gang also shot a customer, Daniel Inalegwu, in the lower thigh before fleeing,”said the sources.
The source added that Intelligence reports indicate that the gang was involved in multiple home invasions, carjackings, and abductions within Abuja and neighboring states.
He said that efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the criminal syndicate, whilie emphasizing that the police were intensifying operations to rid Abuja of violent crime.
“We have strong leads on the remaining gang members, and we are working to recover more weapons they have hidden. This arrest is a major breakthrough in tackling high-profile criminal activities in the FCT,” the sources said.
According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
