One of the recent Kuje Prison escapees and gang leader, Hashiru Marazu Baku has been arrested by officers of the FCT Police Command attached to Utako Division over the murder of a retired Brigadier General Uwen Harold in his residence on the 21/06/2024.
The police also recovered the late General’s service pistol, some ammunitions which were carted away, a wrist watch belonging his wife, other jewelries and 79 bottles of 100ml of codeine in the suspect’s residence at Mararaba, Nasarawa state.
Parading the suspects alongside othe criminal suspects arrested for various crimes ranging from armed robbery, vandalism and others, the Command CP Benneth C. Igweh, disclosed that, Police operatives from Utako Division in a covert operation led by CSP Victor Godfrey trailed and apprehended the gang leader at Chile Hotel in Kano state on the 17/07/2024.
CP Igweh stated that, “Sequel to an earlier achievement of the Command where some suspects were arrested on 23/06/2024 for the murder of a Retired Brigadier General Uwen Harold in his residence on 21/06/2024, his service pistol and some ammunitions were carted away.
“In a follow up operation by the same team of Police operatives on the 19/07/2024, the said service pistol of the late Brigadier General was recovered with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, in Mararaba Nasarawa state at about 02:00AM.
“It is important to note that the same Hashiru Marazu Bako was once arrested in 2022 at Wuse zone 6 for armed robbery, was prosecuted and sentenced to Kuje correctional facility from where he broke out during the 22/05/2022 Kuje jail break.”
Igweh also noted that, “On the 20/07/2024 at about 10:00PM, a team of Police operatives from Utako Division led by CSP Victor O. Godfrey trailed a Golf Vento vehicle with registration No. KWL 368 CP, around Arab Junction Utako – Darki Junction Jabi, suspected to be driven by a gang of armed robbers.
“Upon sighting the police operatives, the suspects opened fire on the operatives which resulted in a gun duel. The suspects succumbed to the superior fire power and prowess of the Police and the following suspects were arrested;Ibrahim Yakubu, Ugwu Monday Joseph and Lawal Mustapha. Both suspects have confessed to have been operating while one other escaped with bullet wounds.
“The following exhibits were recovered from them including two English pistols, two magazines, 49 live ammunitions, three torchlight and several charms.
The FCT Police Boss further revealed that, “On the 20/07/2024, acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of Police operatives and Civilian Joint task Force led by the Commander Rapid Response Squad FCT Command raided black spots at Kabusa Panteka where the eight male suspects were arrested with one trailer containing used car parts, armored cables, one canter pickup truck, two buses with one containing burnt armored cables, five saloon vehicles comprising of; one camry pencil light, two Honda accord and two corolla cars, 14i nverter batteries and nine used cars.
The suspects he said could not give a satisfactory explanation to the exhibits seen in their possession. “Investigations are still ongoing and suspects will be charge to court upon conclusion.
The CP also paraded one Chukwunazom Cyra, for being a in possession of illegally acquired riffle.
He said, “On 17/07/2024 at about 0600pm following a complaint by one Chukwunazom Cyra, Police operatives from Zuba division trailed and arrested one Brendan Ugwu at Dankogi area in Zuba. A search was conducted on his car and one locally made gun was recovered.
“This prompted another search at his residence where another locally made gun concealed in the ceiling of his house was recovered. Suspect is in custody undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”
Accordingly, the CP said, “On 12/06/2024 and 15/06/2024, at about 20:00hrs and 23:00hrs respectively, a team of Police operatives led and coordinated by CSP Victor O. Godfrey trailed and arrested the following suspected armed robbery suspects who have been on the Command watch list.
“They include Saidi Mohammed and Miracle Felix. Suspects confessed to being a gang of one chance operatives who have been operating around Wuse II and Mpape axis for a while now. Suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.”
The CP further reiterated his commitment and willingness to always work with residents of FCT to defeat crime in all its forms in the Federal Capital Territory.