FCT Police Bust Kidnap Supply Network, Rescue Hostage, Arrest Suspects
By Sunday Etuka
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Monday announced a wave of arrests and recoveries from separate operations carried out over the past two weeks, disrupting kidnapping logistics networks, freeing a hostage, and apprehending suspects linked to armed robbery and car theft across the territory.
Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Muhammed Sanusi said the successes underscore the value of public-spirited intelligence and close collaboration between residents and law enforcement.
Investigating the 8 July abduction at Yellow House, Mpape, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit traced and arrested Umaru Danda, a Zamfara native, at Gadabiu village, Niger State, on 10 July. Police identified Danda as a supplier of hard drugs, logistics and other items to the kidnapping gang.
Searches of three hideouts linked to the gang turned up a substantial haul: Twenty-five cards of 225 mg tramadol, thirty cards of 100 mg tramadol, and two bottles (500 tablets each) of Embazol, Two wraps of suspected cocaine, packs of cannabis tablets and dried cannabis leaves, One digital scale, two air pods, two ATM cards, two bags and cash of N250,000, One AK-47 rifle.
The Police said Danda and the exhibits are in custody and would be charged after conclusion of investigations.
CP Sanusi also detailed the rescue of a kidnap victim abducted from Karshi, narrating that after a distress call on 12 July, Anti-Kidnapping teams tracked likely escape routes through the Waru hills and on 16 July recovered the hostage unharmed at about 12:45 AM.
He disclosed that the victim received treatment and has been reunited with family. Recovered exhibits from that operation, according to him, include a painted Makarov pistol, a dagger, military camouflage clothing and assorted charms.
Sanusi also revealed that on 7 July, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested four suspects : Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmad Umar, Riskwa Shehu and Umar Abubakar, suspected of targeting ride-hailing drivers by posing as passengers before robbing and stealing vehicles. Two recovered vehicles were an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4 (YAB 240 DL) and a grey Honda Civic (ABC 72 JP). Investigations continue and charges will follow.
Again, he said, On 14 July, VCRU officers on patrol sighted a heavily tinted dark-blue Golf (RSH 621 BR) whose occupants fled at high speed. A hot pursuit led to the arrest of three men identified as Orji Chibueze (35), Chibuike Odo (33) and Chibuikem Stanley (36). Officers recovered a wig, screwdriver, scissors, a knife, a cannabis strain known locally as “colos”, three phones, a cap and a rope. The suspects and exhibits are in custody pending their charges.
Acting on an emergency call around 4:50 AM on 19 July, Nyanya Division officers responded to an armed robbery in Area A, where five suspects attacked a shop owner, Mr. Linus, after forcing access through his perimeter wall.
The operatives engaged the attackers; two were injured while fleeing and the victim was rescued and taken for treatment.
Follow-up searches at a residence in Area A Block 8 produced bloodstained clothes, a toy gun, a digger, two machetes, a military belt, identity documents and other items, including a counterfeit N1,000 note and assorted charms.
Police arrested Abdulraman Ismail (20) and later Jamilu Yahaya (25), who led officers to another suspect, Junaidu Usman (30), a chemist who treated an injured suspect now at large. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
CP Sanusi added that separate operations recovered five stolen vehicles taken from the FCT, some of which have been returned to their owners while others await claims.
The Commissioner reiterated the FCT Command’s commitment to professional, proactive policing and urged residents to keep using emergency lines to provide timely intelligence.
All arrested suspects and exhibits remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
