The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” armed robbery syndicate linked to the killing of Abuja-based lawyer, Barrister Princess Chigbo Nwamaka Mediatrix.
The suspects were apprehended following intelligence-led operations carried out between January 5 and January 10, 2026, after directives from the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, to track down those responsible for the crime.
According to the police, operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, deployed reconstructive digital intelligence to trace the victim’s mobile phone, which led them to Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Dan-Tata communities in the Kubwa area of the FCT.
Those arrested were identified as Saifullahi Yusuf, 22, and Ishau Yusuf, 24, both from Kaduna State and residents of Dan-Tata Community, Dei-Dei, as well as Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia, also from Kaduna State. Police confirmed that Saifullahi and Ishau Yusuf are biological brothers.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belong to a criminal gang that has carried out “one-chance” robberies within the FCT for several years, often intensifying operations during festive periods.
Police said that on January 5, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., the suspects allegedly picked up Barrister Chigbo along the Kubwa Expressway in a black Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle. Shortly after she entered the vehicle, the suspects reportedly wound up the tinted windows, threatened her with weapons and attempted to force her to pay ransom for her release.
Investigators said the victim was assaulted and later pushed out of the moving vehicle when she refused to comply, sustaining fatal injuries.
The suspects allegedly admitted to stealing the victim’s Android mobile phone, which was later sold at Dei-Dei for N120,000. Police said Minka’ilu Jibril received ₦30,000, Saifullahi Yusuf N15,000, while Ishau Yusuf and another suspect, identified as Musa and currently at large, shared the balance.
During the arrests, police recovered several items believed to have been used in carrying out the crimes, including five pairs of scissors, two dagger knives, two knives, a long chain allegedly used to restrain victims, and a plier.
The FCT Police Command said investigations are ongoing and that efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect and dismantle any other criminal networks connected to the syndicate.
Commending the operatives involved, CP Dantawaye reassured residents of the FCT of the Command’s commitment to combating violent crime. He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid boarding unregistered or suspicious vehicles, and report suspicious activities through the police emergency lines: 08032003913 and 07057337653.