A joint security team consisting of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Army and local vigilante group have neutralised three suspected armed robbers in Abuja.

The police public relations officer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

She said the suspected armed robbers were neutralised during a midnight operation following a distress call to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dei-Dei ‘A’ Division on Feb. 12 at about 11:50 p.m.

Ms Adeh said the DPO was informed of an ongoing armed robbery in Filin-Dabo village in the FCT.

“Responding swiftly, the DPO alerted the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and coordinated with operatives from the 102 Battalion, Guards Brigade, the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilante groups and mobilised to the scene.

“Upon spotting the joint security team, the six-member gang attempted to flee into nearby bushes, to launch an ambush on the operatives.

“The security personnel responded with superior firepower, engaging the criminals in a fierce exchange before the suspects were subdued,” she said.

She said the suspected robbers, who sustained various degrees of bullet wounds, were rushed to Kubwa General Hospital where three of them were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty.

The FCT police spokesperson said the remaining three, with bullet injuries, were currently receiving medical attention.

Ms Adeh said one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 19 live rounds of 7.62 ammunition, two locally made pistols and two knives were recovered from the suspects.

Other items recovered were one taser, one mobile phone, assorted charms and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Ms Adeh said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Olatunji Disu, had commended the joint forces for their swift and decisive action.

The CP said the swift response had sent a strong warning to criminals that crime would not be tolerated in the FCT.

Mr Disu also commended residents of Filin-Dabo village for their cooperation in providing timely intelligence that aided the operation.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and emulate the proactive efforts of the Filin-Dabo community by promptly reporting suspicious activities.

(NAN)