Police Recover Stolen SUV After Gun Battle With Robbers In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced that its operatives have recovered a black Toyota SUV stolen by armed robbers.

In a statement on Friday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said the vehicle was stolen on Thursday around the Lugbe area of the territory.

She explained that the Command received a distress call from a good Samaritan on Thursday evening reporting a carjacking incident in the area.

The PPRO said one Kemi H. Adidiru was driving from Lugbe to the city center when she was abruptly stopped and surrounded by six armed men under a pedestrian bridge along Alieta Road, Lugbe.

The robbers, according to the PPRO, forcefully ejected both the car owner and her driver from the 2012 black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Reg. No. ABJ 670 EY) and sped off with the car and her belongings.

The statement added that the witness, alarmed by the robbery, promptly notified the Command Control Room, providing crucial information about the vehicle and the suspects’ direction of escape.

“The Police acted quickly, alerting strategic checkpoints and deploying patrol teams across the FCT.

“At approximately 11:35 pm, Police operatives spotted the stolen vehicle at a checkpoint along Dantata Bridge, Galadimawa Road.

“When officers attempted to stop the suspects, they sped away, leading to a high-speed chase towards Airport Junction. Upon reaching another Police checkpoint at the Airport Junction, the suspects opened fire, engaging the Police in a fierce gun battle.

“Thanks to the superior firepower of the police, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and their firearm, fleeing into the surrounding bushes.

“The vehicle was successfully recovered, along with a bag containing an international passport belonging to Halimat Adediru, cash and other valuables.”

The PPRO said the recovered items have since been returned to their rightful owner, who expressed profound gratitude for the prompt response and professionalism of the Police.