 Police Command has recorded breakthrough with the arrest of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, recovering sophisticated weapons){kind=link}
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded breakthrough with the arrest of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, recovering sophisticated weapons, ammunition and part of the ransom money collected from victims in recent abductions across Abuja.
Security sources confirmed the development on Thursday, linking it to multiple kidnapping incidents in Karu, Guzape via Asokoro, Karshi, Kurudu, Jikwoyi, and Apo.
Among the cases was the abduction of Barrister Henry Chichi from De Villa Estate, Karu, on August 16.
“On 16/08/2025 at about 0005hrs, kidnappers stormed House No. 35 Akuta Shedrack Street, De Villa Estate, Karu. They broke the electric fence, shot sporadically into the air and whisked away one Barr. Henry Chichi. The abductors demanded ₦100 million ransom, which was later reduced to ₦25 million before the victim was released on 17/08/2025 at about 2105hrs,” said the sources.
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with the Nasarawa State Police Command, launched coordinated manhunt which eventually forced the suspects into an accident at Angwan Mayo in Kokona LGA along the FCT–Nasarawa highway.
“One Mohammed Tahir, male, of Jos North, Plateau State, was arrested after fleeing into the forest. A search of their red Opel Vectra, with registration number BLD 566 AT, led to the recovery of ₦6.9 million cash, one AK-47 rifle with magazine, one assault rifle with magazine, one G3 rifle with magazine and 16 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition,” said the sources.
Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, 20-year-old Masud Abdullahi, also known as “Small”, at Gurkwu Forest in Nasarawa on August 20.
“Recovered from him were ₦537,000 and one Tecno handset. The suspect, identified by victims and witnesses as the gang leader, confessed to coordinating several kidnappings in Asokoro, Guzape road, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Karu, Karshi and Apo.
“He admitted receiving ₦1 million as his share from the abduction of Mrs. Mary Apeh, wife of Mr. Levi Apeh, who was shot and left with life-threatening injuries. He also confessed to participating in the kidnap of Pastor Faturari Olainyi of FHA, for which ₦10 million ransom was paid before release,” the sources said.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members and recover additional exhibits.
The sources also revealed that police operatives from Robochi Division rescued a kidnapped victim, 21-year-old Muhammadu Habiba of Paiko, who was found wandering in Gwombe Forest.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Habiba was kidnapped on 16/08/2025 from Toto LGA of Nasarawa State. He escaped while in transit and has since been reunited with his family. Bush combing operations are ongoing,” said the sources.
In a separate operation, security operatives arrested 13 robbery suspects in Mabushi for raiding a warehouse belonging to Royal Hospital on August 20.
“All the stolen items were recovered. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to robbing with knives and axes, snatching phones and women’s handbags around Wuse bridge, Crystal Lounge and other spots in the FCT,” the sources stated.
Similarly, police operatives arrested one Ismail Aliyu over a robbery incident in Durumi on August 19.
“The complainant, Tijani Kaumi of Gwarinpa, reported that he was lured to UK Car Park, Durumi, by suspects pretending to sell him a phone. Armed men attacked and robbed him of two iPhones, a Nokia phone, wristwatch and ₦20,000 cash.”