The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigerian Police Force has arrested a prime suspect linked to the killing of Brigadier General Uwen Udokwere, who was fatally attacked in his Lokogoma home on January 23, 2024.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported on Sunday that law enforcement officers captured the suspect, 18-year-old Alkasim Mohammed, along with his alleged accomplice, 22-year-old Suleiman Abdullahi. The arrests were made during a coordinated raid by the Scorpion Squad in Durumi Phase 2, Abuja.
Authorities recovered a Beretta pistol with breach number 58866 and eleven rounds of live 9mm ammunition during the operation.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a notorious gang responsible for multiple high-profile crimes in the FCT, including: The murder of Brigadier General Udokwere, a retired senior military officer who was fatally attacked in his home in Lokogoma by armed robbers after gaining access through the fence and shot him,” a source revealed.
The suspects also reportedly admitted to the murder of Alhaji Auwal Abdullahi, a Bureau De Change operator, on March 7, 2024, at Rita Lori Hotel in Garki. According to the source, the same pistol recovered during the arrest was allegedly used in a robbery where ₦700,000 was stolen from POS operator Miss Mercy Alo in Jabi. The gang also shot a customer, Daniel Inalegwu, in the lower thigh before escaping the scene.
Intelligence gathered by the police suggests the gang was involved in various criminal activities, including home invasions, car thefts, and kidnappings across Abuja and neighboring states.
“We have strong leads on the remaining gang members, and we are working to recover more weapons they have hidden. This arrest is a major breakthrough in tackling high-profile criminal activities in the FCT,” the source added.
The suspects remain in police custody, and authorities have confirmed they will face prosecution once the investigation is complete. Meanwhile, security operations continue across the city to apprehend other members of the syndicate and restore safety to residents.