By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested two suspects linked to a violent robbery in Asokoro that claimed the life of a security guard and led to the theft of cash, valuables, and a Toyota Camry.
According to the Command, operatives of the Scorpion Squad launched an intelligence-driven manhunt following the January attack, tracking down two key suspects, between February 12 and 19.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said preliminary investigations showed that one of the principal suspects, Kelechi Nwokoro, 48, had been employed as a security guard by the victim but was dismissed in January for negligence while on duty.
Adeh, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that the suspect allegedly conspired with the second arrested suspect, Amaechi Edemba, 46, and four others recruited from Nasarawa State, to commit the robbery in retaliation of his sack. Nwokoro was said to have used his knowledge of the property to disable CCTV cameras and cut power to the building.
The gang reportedly overpowered and strangled the guard on duty, Ishaku Marcus, before fleeing with cash, jewellery, laptops, wrappers, and a silver Toyota Camry.
Police confirmed that the stolen vehicle and other exhibits have now been recovered, while efforts are underway to track the remaining members of the gang still at large.
While commending his operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, urged Abuja residents to take staff background checks seriously.
“Members of the public should endeavor to profile their domestic staff with the Police before granting them employment,” he said.
He further appealed for heightened vigilance and encouraged residents to report suspicious activity using the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08028940883.
