Operatives of the federal capital territory (FCT) police command have reportedly arrested two high-profile suspects linked to the murder of Uwem Udokwere, a retired brigadier general.
Udokwere was killed in his residence at Sunshine estate in Abuja on June 21, 2024.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, quoted intelligence sources as saying the suspects were nabbed during a ‘scorpion squad operation’ in Durumi phase 2, Abuja.
The publication named the suspects as Alkasim Mohammed and Suleiman Abdullahi.
According to the sources, the police recovered a Beretta pistol with breach number 58866, as well as 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,” the sources said.
“He 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.”
The source further said intelligence findings reveal the gang was behind several home burglaries, car thefts, and kidnappings within Abuja and neighbouring states.
He added that efforts were being intensified to apprehend other members of the criminal group, while restating that the police is ramping up operations to eradicate violent crimes in Abuja.
“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.
The publication added that the suspects will face prosecution upon conclusion of investigation
