by George Ozalla
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a notorious one-chance robbery syndicate in connection with the robbery and killing of Abuja-based lawyer, Barrister Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, in Abuja earlier this month.
The suspects were arrested following intelligence-driven operations carried out between January 9 and January 10, 2026, in Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Dan-Tata communities within the Kubwa axis of the Federal Capital Territory. The arrests followed sustained tracking and digital reconstruction linked to the deceased’s mobile phone, according to a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Superintendent of Police Josephine Adeh.
Those arrested were identified as Saifullahi Yusuf, 22, a resident of Dan-Tata Community, Dei-Dei, Abuja; his elder brother, Ishau Yusuf, 24, also of Dan-Tata Community; and Minka’ilu Jibril, popularly known as Dan-Hajia. Police said the three suspects are originally from Kaduna State and are believed to be key members of a long-running one-chance robbery gang that has terrorised commuters along major routes within the FCT.
Preliminary police investigations revealed that Barrister Chigbo was attacked on January 5, 2026, at about 5.50 p.m., after she boarded a black Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle along the Kubwa Expressway, mistaking it for a commercial car. Police said the suspects allegedly wound up the vehicle’s tinted windows, threatened her with weapons and attempted to extort money from her.
Investigators further disclosed that during the attack, the suspects assaulted the lawyer and subsequently pushed her out of the moving vehicle along the expressway, leading to fatal injuries. Her body was later discovered by the roadside, with her bag and some personal belongings recovered near the scene.
The suspects reportedly confessed to stealing the deceased’s Android smartphone, which they later sold in Dei-Dei for N120,000. Police said the proceeds were shared among the suspects, with Minka’ilu Jibril receiving N30,000, Saifullahi Yusuf N15,000, while the remaining amount was shared between Ishau Yusuf and another suspect identified simply as Musa, who is currently on the run.
Items recovered from the suspects include five scissors, two dagger knives, two other knives, a long chain believed to be used for restraining victims, and a plier, all suspected to be tools used in their criminal operations.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Miller Dantawaye, commended operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor Ogbeide Godfrey for the swift and coordinated operation that led to the arrests. He assured residents that the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks operating within the capital territory.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid boarding unregistered vehicles, and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, while efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing suspect and uncover other members of the syndicate linked to similar crimes in Abuja.
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