Gladness Gideon
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three high-profile kidnap suspects in connection with a string of abductions and murders across Abuja and neighbouring states.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspects — 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 — were apprehended during coordinated sting operations between June 13 and 18, 2025.
The operations, carried out by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad, spanned Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa States, and were led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor O. Godfrey, following what the police described as “credible digital reconstructive intelligence.”
“These individuals have long been on the Command’s wanted list and have now confessed to their involvement in several high-profile kidnapping and murder cases,” the statement said.
The trio reportedly admitted to the 2024 killing of a pastor in the Mpape area of Abuja, as well as the abduction of children in the same vicinity — a case in which their father was fatally shot. The suspects also confessed to kidnapping a woman whose release was secured after a N10 million ransom was paid. Each gang member received N500,000 from the proceeds.
According to police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also served as the group’s arms supplier, led officers to a gang hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18. The team encountered resistance as they came under heavy gunfire from other gang members, prompting a brief but intense shootout.
“Abdullahi attempted to escape during the exchange but was shot and subsequently rearrested. The remaining gang members managed to flee and are now being actively hunted,” the statement added.
Among the items recovered from the hideout were a long knife and a collection of charms believed to be used for spiritual fortification.
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Reacting to the breakthrough, FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, lauded the Scorpion Squad for its professionalism and courage, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to combat violent crime across the territory.
“This operation is a significant victory in our campaign against kidnapping and violent crime in the FCT,” CP Adewale stated. “We are committed to ensuring that residents feel safe and protected in their communities.”
He also urged members of the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement agencies.
The arrested suspects remain in custody as further investigations and efforts to apprehend fleeing members of the gang continue.