Three Dead As Police, Military Engage Notorious Criminals In Deadly Shootout In Abuja

At least three people have lost their lives in a violent shootout between notorious armed robbers and a joint team of Nigeria Police operatives and military personnel in the nation's capital.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Josephine, the operation, which took place on Wednesday night began with a distress call put across to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Dei-Dei ‘A’ Division at about 11:50 PM regarding a violent robbery in Filin-Dabo village.

She said the DPO, who responded swiftly, alerted the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and subsequently coordinated with operatives from the 102 Battalion, Guards Brigade, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and local vigilante groups to mobilize to the scene.

“Upon spotting the joint security team, the six-member gang attempted to flee into nearby bushes, launching an ambush on the operatives.

“However, the security personnel responded with superior firepower, engaging the criminals in a fierce exchange.

“Despite their attempts to escape, the suspects were subdued. The suspect who sustained various degrees of bullet wounds was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital where three of them were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty, while the other three sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention”, the statement added.

The PPRO also stated that the team recovered dangerous weapons including one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, nineteen live rounds of 7.62 ammunition, two locally made pistols and two knives.

They also recovered one taser, one mobile phone, assorted charms and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.