Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested two suspected members of an armed robbery gang allegedly involved in a deadly January 2026 attack in the Asokoro area of Abuja, during which a security guard was murdered, and valuables were carted away.
The suspects, identified as 46-year-old Amaechi Edemba and 48-year-old Kelechi Nwokoro, were apprehended between February 12 and 19, 2026, following what the police described as an intelligence-led operation by the Command’s Scorpion Squad.
According to Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, the arrests followed a complaint that armed robbers had broken into a residence in Asokoro, killed a security guard on duty, and made away with an unspecified amount of cash, a vehicle, and other valuables.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Nwokoro was formerly employed as a security guard by the complainant but was dismissed in January 2026 due to alleged negligence while on duty.
Police said the suspect, allegedly nursing resentment over his dismissal, conspired with Edemba and recruited four additional accomplices from neighbouring Nasarawa State to carry out the attack.
Police investigators disclosed that Nwokoro allegedly exploited his prior knowledge of the residence to facilitate the operation.
He reportedly disabled the Closed-Circuit Television system and cut off the electricity supply to the premises before leading the armed gang into the house.
During the attack, the suspects were confronted by the on-duty security guard, identified as Ishaku Marcus.
Police said the gang overpowered him and strangled him before fleeing with cash, jewellery, laptops, wrappers, and a silver Toyota Camry, among other valuables.
The Command confirmed that the stolen Toyota Camry and other exhibits have been recovered following the suspects’ arrest.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining four members of the gang, who are currently at large”, he added.
Miller Dantawaye, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as professionalism and swift action.
He urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to take proactive security measures, including profiling domestic staff and security personnel with the police before offering them employment.
The Commissioner also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08028940883.
The police assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of the inquiry.
