By Goodluck Ikiebe
The FCT Police Command has recovered a stolen vehicle and firearm after receiving a distress call from a good Samaritan reporting a carjacking incident at about 8pm on Thursday.
The owner, Engr. Kemi H. Adediru, 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 forcefully ejected both her and her driver from the vehicle, a 2012 black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Reg. No. ABJ 670 EY), and sped off with the car and her belongings at gunpoint.
A witness, alarmed by the robbery, promptly notified the FCT Police 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.
The FCT Police Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, says that with 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 Engr. Halimat Adediru, cash, and other valuables. These items have since been returned to their rightful owner, who expressed profound gratitude for the prompt response and professionalism of the Police”, Adeh stated.
The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, commended the vigilant bystanders for their swift action and encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities to the Police using the emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, and 07057337653. Your vigilance can make a difference!
