The FCT Police Command has arrested 14 suspected carjackers and recovered 17 stolen vehicles in a series of operations across Abuja, as authorities intensify efforts to curb rising cases of vehicle theft and ‘one-chance’ robberies.
The arrests followed coordinated operations carried out between March and April 2026 across divisions in Mabushi, Durumi, Maitama and the Central Area, targeting suspects involved in vehicles snatched at gunpoint, cars stolen from where they were parked, and vehicles used by one-chance syndicates.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi, while giving a breakdown of arrests made from March 2026 till date said, “The FCT Police Command under my leadership has intensified intelligence-led policing, surveillance, and targeted operations across all areas within the Federal Capital Territory. Today, I am here to present a summary of key operational achievements recorded across various Police Divisions, particularly in the areas of vehicle theft at gunpoint, ‘one chance’ robbery operations and removal of vehicles from where parked.”
CP Sanusi listed the suspects to include Mustapha Difcha, Ahmed Difcha, Sanusi Isa, John Emmanuel, Blessed Yusuf, Chinaza Ijere, Joshua Luka Dagana, Mohammed Sabiu, Zakariya Liman, Babajo Ishaya, Cornellius Abang, Sani Kabiru, Gambo Ibrahim and Jakuta Kandoki Ibrahim.
Some of the vehicles recovered include a black Toyota Avalon XLE with registration number LKJ 232 CV, a Toyota Camry with registration number DKA 988 MT stolen from Kaduna State and recovered in the FCT, a black Ford Jeep (Reg. No. KWL 978 PP), a 2003 Toyota Corolla (Reg. No. DBT 467 BZ), a Toyota Corolla (Reg. No. KWK 221 AE), a dark grey Toyota Corolla S without registration number, a green Nissan (Reg. No. RBC 99 XP) and a 2013 Hyundai Elantra (Reg. No. ABJ 904 HL).
Other vehicles recovered was a Nissan SUV without registration number; a 2021 Toyota Hilux without registration number; a Toyota Corolla (Reg. No. NSR 57 AT); a black Volkswagen Golf 2 (Reg. No. JJJ 112 DW); a Toyota Camry (Reg. No. ABJ 513 CN), a black Volkswagen Golf 3 without registration number; a Toyota Carina (Reg. No. CQ 302 GGE) stolen from Durumi and recovered in Kaduna State; a black Hyundai (Reg. No. ABJ 371 DZ) abandoned by one-chance suspects upon sighting a patrol team; and a foiled theft of a white Range Rover (Reg. No. ABJ 36 AS).
He said some of the recovered vehicles had already been returned to verified owners, while others were still in police custody pending identification.
The Command also foiled a one-chance robbery at about 4:30 a.m. on April 10, when operatives on patrol around the Central Area sighted a suspicious black Hyundai vehicle parked along a deserted road.
“Upon sighting the Police team, three suspects alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on the officers in an attempt to evade arrest. The officers responded decisively injuring and arresting one of the suspects, later identified as Jakuta Kandoki Ibrahim (m) while other members of the gang fled into the nearby bushes.
“A search of their vehicle led to the discovery of two female victims tied up with ropes laying in the back seat. Upon their rescue, one of the victims disclosed that she had been raped by one of the suspects while in the vehicle.”
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect identified by the victims.
Sanusi said the suspects “are still in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”
He also cautioned residents against circulating unverified security information following the arrest of a 24-year-old content creator in Bwari, who allegedly produced a manipulated video suggesting an attack within the FCT.
He said, “This serves as a reminder that publication of falsehood or the dissemination of unverified content aimed at causing panic and fear among the general public remains a criminal offense and counterproductive to our collective effort of securing the Federal Capital Territory.”
The suspect has since been arraigned and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial. The Command then urged residents to always verify security-related information before sharing.