The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against crime with the arrest of a notorious “one chance” kidnapping syndicate, the recovery of ₦8.25 million ransom, the arrest of an alleged arms supplier to bandits, and the detention of hundreds of criminal suspects during coordinated operations across Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the police commissioner, the achievements demonstrate the Command’s commitment to ensuring that criminal activities do not thrive within the Federal Capital Territory.
Six-Member ‘One Chance’ Kidnap Gang Arrested
CP Sanusi said operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit launched an intelligence-led operation after receiving a distress report on June 29, 2026, concerning the abduction of a young woman in the Maitama area of Abuja.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦20 million from the victim’s family before eventually accepting ₦8.25 million for her release on July 3.
Using digital intelligence and tracking technology, police operatives traced the victim to Kwan-Kwashe Village in Niger State before intensifying efforts that led to the arrest of six members of the syndicate in Suleja on July 5.
The suspects were identified as Ifeoma Nnamchi (35), alleged gang leader; Peter Rasheed Onwunumah (40); Olanipekun Anuoluwa (46); Jemimah Monday (25); Gabriel Nnamchi (14); and Stanley Nnamchi (17).
Police recovered the entire ₦8.25 million ransom, two operational vehicles, a cutlass, seven AirPods, jewellery suspected to belong to previous victims, five mobile phones and a laptop.
Investigations revealed that the alleged gang leader and one accomplice had previously been arrested by the FCT Police Command in 2022 and 2019 for similar offences.
The suspects reportedly confessed to carrying out multiple “one chance” operations along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of Abuja, where they allegedly kidnapped and extorted at least five female victims, collecting about ₦12.8 million in ransom.
Police Arrest Alleged Arms Dealer, Drug Suppliers
The Commissioner of Police also announced the arrest of four suspects during clearance operations targeting kidnapping camps in communities around Kwali, Kuje and Abaji Area Councils.
The operation, carried out by a joint security team led by the FCT Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, resulted in the arrest of Bello Abdullahi, Shuaibu Iliya, Idris Abubakar, and Misbahu Isa.
According to the police, investigations identified Misbahu Isa as an alleged arms dealer supplying ammunition to kidnappers operating across Niger, Kaduna and Kogi states.
Police recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside a commercial Volkswagen Golf vehicle allegedly used by the suspect.
The Command alleged that the suspect recently supplied more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition to wanted bandits and kidnappers and received ₦3 million for the transaction.
Additional items recovered during the operation included codeine syrup, cannabis, tramadol tablets, assorted drugs, a loaded magazine containing six rounds of live ammunition, cash and other exhibits.
560 Suspects Arrested During Raids
CP Sanusi further disclosed that intelligence-led raids conducted across identified criminal hotspots in the Federal Capital Territory led to the arrest of 560 suspects over the past week.
Items recovered during the operations included a locally fabricated pistol, a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and three rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The police commissioner reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements and urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to assist security agencies.
He assured residents that the FCT Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
