Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” armed robbery syndicate over the murder of a legal practitioner, Barrister Chigbo Nwamaka Mediatrix, who was killed along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.
The arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, who ordered an intensive manhunt for those responsible for the killing and other violent robberies linked to the same criminal network operating within the territory.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, carried out intelligence-driven operations between January 5 and January 10, 2026.
She explained that investigators tracked the victim’s mobile phone, which led them to several locations, including Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Dan-Tata communities in the Kubwa area of the FCT.
The operations resulted in the arrest of “Saifullahi Yusuf and Ishau Yusuf, both from Kaduna State and residents of Dan-Tata community in Dei-Dei, alongside Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia, who is likewise from Kaduna State”.
Police said Saifullahi and Ishau are biological brothers.
Investigators linked the trio to a long-running “one-chance” robbery syndicate known for targeting unsuspecting commuters, especially during festive periods.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the suspects used a black Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle to lure victims along major routes in Abuja.
Adeh provided details of the incident that led to the death of the legal practitioner, saying, “On 5th January, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., Barr. Princess Chigbo unknowingly boarded their black Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle along the Kubwa Expressway, unaware that the occupants were criminals.
“Upon entry into the vehicle, the suspects wound up the tinted windows and threatened the victim with weapons in an attempt to force her to pay ransom for her own release.
“When she allegedly refused to cooperate, she was physically assaulted and pushed out of the moving vehicle along the Kubwa Expressway, resulting in her death.”
Investigators said the suspects admitted to robbing the victim of her Android mobile phone after the attack.
They later sold the device in Dei-Dei for “N120,000.”
Police disclosed that Minka’ilu Jibril collected N30,000 from the proceeds, Saifullahi Yusuf received N15,000, while Ishau Yusuf and another suspect identified as Musa, who remains at large, shared the balance.
During the arrests, officers recovered several items believed to have been used during the commission of the crimes. Adeh confirmed the recovery, stating, “Five scissors, two sharp dagger knives, two knives, one long chain used for restraining victims and one plier.
“These items are believed to have been used in the commission of their criminal activities.”
The police said investigations remain ongoing as operatives intensify efforts to arrest the remaining suspect and identify other members or collaborators connected to the syndicate.
Authorities are also working to determine whether the group is responsible for additional violent robberies previously reported within the FCT.
CP Dantawaye commended the operatives involved in the investigation and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to combat violent crime and dismantle criminal networks operating within the Federal Capital Territory.
The police urged residents to remain cautious, particularly when boarding vehicles, and to stay alert to suspicious movements or behaviour, as investigations into the case continue.
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