Police Recover Charms, Arrest Kidnappers In Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected notorious kidnappers linked to multiple abductions and killings across Abuja and neighbouring states.
The arrests led to the recovery of a long knife and various charms.
The operation, which took place between June 13 and 18, 2025, was carried out by the command’s Scorpion Squad across Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa States.
The arrested suspects were identified as 27-year-old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna State, 30-year-old Sale Usman from Niger State, and 28-year-old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja.
The three were on the Command’s wanted list for their involvement in high-profile kidnap-for-ransom cases and murders, including the 2024 killing of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children whose father was shot dead during the attack.
The suspects reportedly confessed to their crimes during interrogation.
One of the confessions involved the abduction of a woman for whom a N10m ransom was paid.
Each gang member reportedly received N500,000 from the ransom.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in statement on Thursday, disclosed that the breakthrough was achieved through “credible digital reconstructive intelligence” and was spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Victor O. Godfrey.
During the follow-up operation, the gang’s arms supplier, Ibrahim Abdullahi, led officers to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18, Adeh noted.
She revealed that the police team came under fire from other members of the criminal syndicate, leading to a shootout.
“Abdullahi attempted to flee but was shot and rearrested. Other gang members escaped and are currently being pursued,” the statement added.
Items recovered from the scene included a long knife and various charms believed to be used for spiritual protection and evading arrest.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, while commending the resilience and tactical competence of the Scorpion Squad, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to securing lives and property across the FCT.
“This is a major blow to violent crime in the FCT. We are determined to rid our communities of criminal elements,” CP Adewale said.
He also called on residents to support the police with timely intelligence by reporting suspicious movements and individuals within their communities.
The arrested suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.
The police confirmed that efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are being intensified.
Police Recover Charms, Arrest Kidnappers In Abuja is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
