JUST IN: Police gun down notorious robbery kingpin Babanle, arrest 7 others in Abuja

In a major breakthrough against criminal activity in the nation’s capital, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have neutralized a notorious armed robbery suspect, Abdulmininu Bello, popularly known as Babanle.

He was reportedly the leader of a gang responsible for a string of armed robbery and vehicle theft cases in Abuja and surrounding areas.

The successful operation was confirmed by the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, who revealed that the gang had long been on the Command’s watchlist. The decisive move to bring them down came through a coordinated tactical mission led by the Scorpion Squad, a specialized unit within the force.

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According to the FCT police spokesperson, “Upon receiving credible intelligence that the syndicate was planning to rob an unsuspecting victim around Maitama area on May 19, 2025, police operatives swiftly mobilised and intercepted them on the 15th of May 2025.

“On sighting the officers, the gang members opened fire. In the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspects, Abdulmininu Bello a.k.a. Babanle, was neutralised.”

Other members of the gang arrested at the scene include an ex-convict identified as Ibrahim Muhammad, 22 years, from Kebbi State; Abubakar Abdullahi, 22 years from Plateau State; Sarajo Yusuf, 20 years, from Plateau State; Isiaka Adamu, ex-convict from Bauchi State; Abdullahi Isah, 18 years, escaped detainee from Bauchi State; Sanusi Ali, a 51-year-old resident of Kano State and Abubakar Sani from Plateau State.

Exhibits recovered from the scene include a 2004 Toyota Camry LE, one red boxer motorcycle, two locally made pistols with ten rounds of live 9mm ammunition, four AK47 rifles and magazines, eleven (11) rounds of live 7.62 ammunition and one locally made shotgun.

SP Adeh further confirmed that leader of the gang, one Solomon Bawa a.k.a. Pastor Mogu, and one other suspect fled with gunshot injuries.

Meanwhile, the FCT Command has called on public, who may have come across anyone with suspicious injuries to report same to the Police for prompt investigations.

Police said all suspects were currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

(Leadership)