The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has achieved a significant victory in its battle against violent crime with the apprehension of three key suspects. These individuals are believed to be part of a notorious 'one-chance' armed robbery syndicate and are directly linked to the tragic killing of a legal practitioner, Barrister Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix.
Intelligence-Led Operation Nets Suspects
Acting on clear directives from the Commissioner of Police in Abuja, CP Miller Dantawaye, operatives from the Command's Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, launched a targeted operation. Between January 5 and 10, 2026, using reconstructive digital intelligence, the team tracked the victim's mobile phone. This led them to conduct follow-up operations in the Dei-Dei, Dakwa, and Dan-Tata communities within the Kubwa area of Abuja.
The intelligence-led crackdown resulted in the arrest of three suspects, all from Kaduna State:
- Saifullahi Yusuf (22 years) – resident at Dan-Tata Community, Dei-Dei.
- Ishau Yusuf (24 years) – resident at Dan-Tata Community, Dei-Dei.
- Minka’ilu Jibril, alias Dan-Hajia.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that Saifullahi and Ishau Yusuf are biological brothers. Preliminary investigations indicate the group is part of a long-standing 'one-chance' syndicate known to operate intermittently in the FCT, especially during festive periods.
Gruesome Details of the Crime Emerge
Investigations revealed that on January 5, at about 5:50 p.m., the unsuspecting Barrister Princess Chigbo boarded a black Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle along the Kubwa Expressway. Unaware the occupants were criminals, she became their victim.
Upon entering, the suspects wound up the tinted windows and threatened her with weapons, demanding a ransom for her release. When she allegedly refused to cooperate, she was physically assaulted and pushed out of the moving vehicle along the expressway, an act that resulted in her death.
The suspects further confessed to stealing the victim's Android phone, which was later sold at Dei-Dei for ₦120,000. The proceeds were shared among the gang: Minka’ilu Jibril received ₦30,000, Saifullahi Yusuf got ₦15,000, while Ishau Yusuf and another fugitive suspect named Musa shared the remainder.
Exhibits Recovered and Manhunt Continues
During the arrests, police recovered several items believed to be tools of their criminal trade. The recovered exhibits include:
- Five scissors
- Two sharp dagger knives and two other knives
- One long chain used for restraining victims
- One plier
SP Adeh stated that the investigation is ongoing, with intensive efforts underway to apprehend the remaining suspect, Musa, who is currently at large. The police are also working to uncover any additional criminal networks linked to this syndicate.
CP Dantawaye has commended the professionalism and dedication of the operatives involved. He reassured Abuja residents that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to rid the territory of criminal elements.
The police have advised the public to remain vigilant, avoid boarding unregistered or suspicious vehicles, and promptly report any suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032003913, 07057337653.
Further updates will be communicated as investigations progress.
