By Ibrahim Garba
Operatives of the FCC Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested four suspected killers of an Abuja-based retired Brigadier General Uwem Udukwere.
Udukwere was reportedly killed by armed robbers on Saturday at his Sunshine Estate home in Abuja.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, paraded the suspects in Abuja Monday, June 24 before newsmen.
The four suspects, Ibrahim Rabiu 33 years ‘m’of Rasha, Apo, Nafiu Jamil 33 ‘m’of Apo pantaker, Aliyu Abdullahi 47 ‘m’of Apo, Mohammed Nuhu 28 ‘m’ of Apo primary, were arrested on Sunday by detectives from the Utako Police Division of FCT.
The general was killed with a knife while struggling with the six armed robbers at his residence while resisting attack.
Igweh said: “On June 23, 2024, at about 04:00 p.m. acting on credible intelligence, police operatives of FCT police command from Utako Division led by CSP Victor Godfrey trailed and arrested four suspects; Ibrahim Rabiu 33 years ‘m’ of Rasha, Apo Nafiu Jamil 33 ‘m’ of Apo pantaker, Aliyu Abdullahi 47 ‘m’ of Apo, Mohammed Nuhu 28 ‘m’ of Apo primary.
“They are responsible for attacking, robbing and killing one Brigadier General Uwen Harold Udokwere (rtd.) on June 22, 2024, at his residence in Sunshine Homes Estate in Kabusa. The suspects, who confessed to the crime, stabbed the General when he tried to resist them with his pistols. The knife used in committing the crime was recovered and the deceased stolen phone was equally recovered. Efforts are on top gear to arrest other fleeing suspects and to recover the pistols and laptops taken away from the deceased. Suspects will be charged to court at the end of the investigation.”
One of the suspect Rabiu Ibrahim, who spoke with our reporter on how the general was killed said: “We stabbed the general with a knife. We went to rob him and we collected laptops and phones from him. I was the one that killed him with a knife. I stabbed him in the stomach while another of my friends stabbed him in his shoulder. We disarm the general with his gun and as he was struggling with us that was why we killed him. He also confessed that leader of the gang and one other involved in the robbery are currently on the run.
Also, the police said on May 26, 2024, at about 10:00 am, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the FCT Police Command from the anti-kidnapping unit trailed and arrested: Isa Mohammed Ibrahim, 30, of Kofina, Zuba, Abuja (an escapee of Kuje prison in 2022) and his brother, Nasiru Mohammed A.K.A Danger.
The suspects were members of the kidnapping syndicate that stormed Livestock Estate in Dei-Dei sometime in December 2023 and kidnapped 17 victims, collecting huge ransom before releasing the victims.
They confessed to the crime and to have collected the sum of N400,000 and N300, 000 respectively from the ransom.
They also mentioned that their syndicate being one of the four kidnapping groups terrorizing FCT and its environs is headed by a sub-commander Mallam currently on the run and under the general leadership of one Ardo also at large, commanding the four groups.
The Police added that 91 rustled cattle, four sheep, and one AK-47 rifle were recovered from them and they will be charged in court soon.
In a streak of coordinated clearance operations on some identified bandit camps from June 12 to 14, 2024, operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to the anti-kidnapping unit arrested the following suspects: Sunday Musa A.K.A Dan Gwari, 30, ‘m’ of Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.
He is the chief informant and logistics supplier to the whole kidnapping groups under the general command of one Ardo, currently on the run.
The suspect confessed to being the facilitator of the movement of nurses, hard drugs and sex workers on request to the kidnapping groups.
He is also the financial courier through which money is distributed or shared on request to the kidnapper’s families and he has distributed about N20,000,000:00 Million Naira on behalf of the kidnappers.
He confirmed that the group led by Ardo, the general commander, has over 15 members, all in possession of AK-47 rifles and that there are sub-groups under him as well. The suspect confessed to having received the cash sum of N300,000 once as compensation.
The FCT Police Command Police Boss Igwe reiterated his commitment and willingness to always work with residents of FCT to defeat crime in all its forms no matter the situation assuring of his efforts of going Abuja to neighbouring states to crack down on suspects. ” We are Nigeria Police Force and we are working as a team to fight crime across the nation “, he said
