Abuja, Nigeria – In a daring and decisive raid, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have brought down one of Abuja’s most feared armed robbery lords — Abdulmininu Bello, infamously known as Babanle.
The notorious gang leader, believed to be behind countless cases of armed robbery and vehicle theft in the capital and surrounding areas, met his end in a blazing gun duel with the elite Scorpion Squad on May 15, 2025, as police foiled a planned attack in the Maitama area.
Confirming the dramatic takedown, FCT Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh disclosed that the gang had been under intense surveillance for months.
“Upon receiving credible intelligence that the syndicate was planning to rob an unsuspecting victim in Maitama, operatives swiftly mobilized and intercepted them. On sighting the officers, the gang opened fire. In the exchange, Abdulmininu Bello a.k.a. Babanle was neutralized,” Adeh revealed.
A Gang of Shadows: Ex-Convicts, Escaped Detainees, and Career Criminals
Other members of the criminal enterprise arrested at the scene include:
Ibrahim Muhammad (22, ex-convict from Kebbi State)
Abubakar Abdullahi (22, from Plateau State)
Sarajo Yusuf (20, from Plateau State)
Isiaka Adamu (ex-convict, from Bauchi State)
Abdullahi Isah (18, escaped detainee, Bauchi State)
Sanusi Ali (51, Kano State resident)
Abubakar Sani (from Plateau State)
Weapons of War Recovered
Police seized a chilling arsenal from the gang, including:
A 2004 Toyota Camry LE
A red boxer motorcycle
Two locally made pistols with 10 rounds of live 9mm ammunition
Four AK-47 rifles with magazines
11 rounds of live 7.62 ammunition
A locally made shotgun
Despite the successful bust, two suspects remain at large, including another gang leader, Solomon Bawa a.k.a. Pastor Mogu, who fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
Call for Public Vigilance
The FCT Command is urging members of the public to report anyone with suspicious injuries, as the fleeing suspects could seek treatment in disguise.
All arrested suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
