The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” armed robbery syndicate allegedly involved in the murder of a legal practitioner, Barrister Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix.
The arrests followed directives by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, PSC, ordering an intensive manhunt for all those connected to the killing and similar criminal activities within the territory.
Between January 5 and 10, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, deployed intelligence-led operations, including digital tracking of the victim’s mobile phone.
The operations were carried out across Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Dan-Tata communities in the Kubwa area of the FCT.
The suspects arrested are:
Saifullahi Yusuf (22), from Kaduna State, resident in Dan-Tata Community, Dei-Dei, Abuja;
Ishau Yusuf (24), from Kaduna State, resident in Dan-Tata Community, Dei-Dei, Abuja; and
Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia, from Kaduna State.
Police disclosed that Saifullahi Yusuf and Ishau Yusuf are biological brothers.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belong to a long-standing “one-chance” robbery syndicate that operates intermittently within the FCT, particularly during festive periods.
According to police findings, on January 5, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., the victim allegedly boarded a black Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle along the Kubwa Expressway, unaware that the occupants were criminals. Shortly after entering the vehicle, the suspects reportedly wound up the tinted windows, threatened her with weapons and attempted to force her to raise ransom for her release. When she allegedly refused to cooperate, she was assaulted and pushed out of the moving vehicle, leading to her death.
Investigations further revealed that the suspects dispossessed the victim of her Android mobile phone, which was later sold at Dei-Dei for ₦120,000. Police said Minka’ilu Jibril received ₦30,000, Saifullahi Yusuf ₦15,000, while Ishau Yusuf and another suspect, identified as Musa and currently at large, shared the remaining amount.
Items recovered from the suspects during their arrest include five pairs of scissors, two sharp dagger knives, two knives, a long chain allegedly used to restrain victims, and one plier. The exhibits are believed to have been used in the commission of their crimes.
Police said investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle any other criminal networks linked to the syndicate.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism, CP Dantawaye reassured residents of the FCT of the Command’s commitment to ridding the territory of criminal elements.
He advised the public to remain vigilant, avoid boarding unregistered or suspicious vehicles, and promptly report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 07057337653.
