Police Arrest Notorious Bandits in Abuja, Rescue Abducted Victims in Kogi
Security agencies have recorded major breakthroughs in the fight against criminality with the arrest of notorious kidnap and robbery suspects in Abuja and the rescue of kidnapped victims in Kogi State.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Police Command announced the arrest of several suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, recovering sophisticated weapons, ammunition, and part of the ransom money collected from victims of recent abductions.
The development followed a series of kidnappings across Karu, Guzape via Asokoro, Karshi, Kurudu, Jikwoyi, and Apo, including the abduction of Barrister Henry Chichi from De Villa Estate, Karu, on August 16. According to security sources, the gunmen had demanded ₦100 million but later settled for ₦25 million before releasing the victim on August 17.
A coordinated operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Command, led to the arrest of one suspect, Mohammed Tahir of Jos North, Plateau State, after their vehicle crashed at Angwan Mayo in Kokona LGA along the FCT–Nasarawa highway. A search of the car yielded ₦6.9 million cash, one AK-47 rifle with magazine, one assault rifle with magazine, one G3 rifle with magazine, and 16 rounds of live ammunition.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Masud Abdullahi, 20, alias “Small”, at Gurkwu Forest in Nasarawa State. He was found with ₦537,000 and a Tecno handset. Identified by victims as the gang leader, Abdullahi reportedly confessed to coordinating several abductions across the FCT, including the kidnapping of Mrs. Mary Apeh, whose husband sustained life-threatening injuries, and Pastor Faturari Olainyi, for whom ₦10 million ransom was paid.
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In a related development, police operatives rescued 21-year-old Muhammadu Habiba of Paiko, who was kidnapped from Toto LGA of Nasarawa State on August 16. He escaped captivity while in transit and was found wandering in Gwombe Forest before being reunited with his family.
The command also confirmed the arrest of 13 robbery suspects in Mabushi, led by Abdulrahman Yahaya, who allegedly broke into a warehouse belonging to Royal Hospital, carting away irrigation pumps, borehole machines, generators, and cables. All stolen items were recovered. The suspects reportedly confessed to other robberies around Wuse bridge, Crystal Lounge, and other parts of the FCT.
Similarly, one Ismail Aliyu was arrested in connection with a robbery incident in Durumi on August 19, where the victim, Tijani Kaumi, was dispossessed of mobile phones, a wristwatch, ₦20,000 cash, and forced to transfer ₦100,000 to the suspects. A pistol magazine with live ammunition was recovered during the arrest.
Meanwhile, police operatives are also pursuing the kidnappers of Yohana Madaki, a staff of Bakangizọ Pharmacy, and Mathew Chukwu, a property agent, who were abducted along Kpobi Road, Guzape, on August 20 while traveling with Chukwu’s three children. The children were released to their relatives, while a massive search for the victims continues.
In Kogi State, security forces rescued six kidnapped victims who had been held since July 4. They were found wandering in a forest behind Dangote Mines. The victims were identified as Abdullah Suleiman, Felicia Ilaya, Destiny Samuel, Hope Samuel, Sokwo Destiny, all of Karara Village, and Isah Rabiu of Jamata.
They were taken to a security formation for debriefing, and their families have been contacted. Security operatives said efforts to apprehend the kidnappers remain ongoing.
Authorities in both the FCT and Kogi reaffirmed their resolve to intensify counter-kidnapping operations, recover more weapons, and dismantle criminal networks threatening communities across the region.
By PRNigeria
