The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a high-profile suspect linked to the assassination of Brigadier General Uwen Harold Udokwere (rtd.), who was killed at his residence in Lokogoma, Abuja, on June 22, 2024.
Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama revealed on his X platform that the suspect, Alkasim Mohammed, 18, was apprehended alongside his alleged accomplice, Suleiman Abdullahi, 22, during a coordinated operation by the Scorpion Squad at Durumi Phase 2, Abuja.
Makama reported that law enforcement officers recovered a Beretta pistol with breach number 58866 and eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition from the suspects.
During interrogation, the duo reportedly confessed to being part of a notorious criminal gang responsible for several high-profile crimes across the FCT. They allegedly admitted to the murder of Brigadier General Udokwere, who was attacked in his home by armed robbers who gained access by scaling his fence before shooting him.
Additionally, the suspects confessed to the March 7, 2024, murder of Alhaji Auwal Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator who was killed at Room 303, Rita Lori Hotel, Garki.
The same pistol recovered from the suspects was allegedly used in an armed robbery targeting a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, Miss Mercy Alo, in Jabi, where ₦700,000 was stolen. The gang also reportedly shot a customer, Daniel Inalegwu, in the lower thigh before fleeing the scene.
Further intelligence suggests that the gang has been involved in multiple home invasions, carjackings, and abductions within Abuja and neighboring states.
Security officials disclosed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate.
“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,” a police source said.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.