The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 14 suspected car thieves and dismantled a robbery syndicate, recovering 17 stolen vehicles across Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters on Wednesday.
He said the arrests followed a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted from March 2026 to date.
According to him, the coordinated operations involved police divisions in Mabushi, Durumi, Maitama, and the Central Police Station, targeting vehicle theft, “one chance” robberies, and related criminal activities.
“Through intelligence-led operations and strategic deployments, we arrested fourteen suspects and recovered seventeen vehicles,” Sanusi said.
He explained that the suspects were linked to multiple incidents, including vehicles snatched at gunpoint, cars stolen from parking areas, and vehicles used to perpetrate crimes.
Some of the recovered vehicles, he added, have already been returned to their rightful owners, while others are pending identification.
Sanusi also revealed that operatives foiled a “one chance” robbery attempt on April 10 along a secluded road in Abuja. He said officers on patrol intercepted a suspicious vehicle, prompting the suspects to open fire.
“Our officers responded swiftly, injuring and apprehending one suspect, while others fled into nearby bushes,” he stated.
The police chief noted that two female victims were rescued from the vehicle, where they had been bound. One of the victims, he said, alleged she was sexually assaulted by a member of the gang.
“In a follow-up operation, one Cornellius Abang, who initially escaped, was tracked and arrested. During interrogation, the victims identified him as the individual who tied them up and committed the assault,” Sanusi added.
He confirmed that the suspects remain in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
In a related development, Sanusi said a content creator, Pam Joshua, had been arraigned for allegedly circulating a misleading video suggesting bandit attacks in Abuja.
“Pam Joshua has been arraigned before a competent court for injurious falsehood and breach of public peace and is currently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial,” he said.
The police commissioner urged residents to verify security-related information before sharing, warning that spreading false information capable of causing panic is a criminal offence.
The arrests come amid growing concerns over rising cases of car theft and “one chance” robberies in Abuja, with residents calling for enhanced security measures.
