The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command has recovered a black Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with registration number ABC 797, which was snatched at gunpoint by five armed men in Garki on April 23, 2025.
A statement issued on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said the incident occurred at approximately 8:35 PM on Wedneday when the assailants, dressed in black intercepted the vehicle belonging to one Alhaji Nasiru Aminu.
The armed men, according to the police, fired sporadically into the air to scare off passersby before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle.
The PPRO explained that upon receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer immediately alerted the Command’s Control Room, which promptly activated the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and placed all stop-and-search units on high alert.
She said police teams were strategically deployed to major entry and exit points across the FCT.
“Surveillance efforts, led by the Divisional Police Officer Maitama, CSP Altine Daniel, and supported by the Police Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), commenced real-time tracking of the stolen vehicle.
“Acting swiftly on actionable intelligence, operatives closed in on the suspects. In a bid to evade arrest, the criminals abandoned the vehicle under Banex Bridge and escaped in a pre-arranged getaway car.
“The vehicle was recovered intact by 9:00 PM. within 30 minutes of the initial report.
“A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 9mm ammunition. The rightful owner has been contacted, and arrangements are underway for the formal release of the recovered vehicle.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects are members of a notorious syndicate known for a string of car-snatching and armed robbery incidents within the Wuse and Maitama axis. The group has long been on the Command’s watchlist, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, psc, mnips, commended the professionalism and rapid response of the officers involved in the operation.
“He further encouraged residents to install digital tracking devices in their vehicles to facilitate swift recovery and deter criminal activity”, the statement added.
