Nigeria: Police arrest three masterminds of Abuja kidnappings
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested three notorious kidnap suspects linked to a spate of deadly abductions in Abuja and neighboring states. The suspects, identified as Ya’u Shittu, Sale Usman, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, were captured during sting operations carried out between June 13 and 18, 2025, in Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad.
According to the police, the suspects confessed to multiple kidnappings and murders, including the killing of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children in the same area where their father was shot dead. The police also tied them to the kidnapping of a woman for whom N10 million was paid in ransom, with each gang member pocketing N500,000.
The breakthrough followed “credible digital reconstructive intelligence” and was led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey. Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also doubled as the gang’s arms supplier, led officers to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18. Upon arrival, the police team was met with gunfire from other gang members, prompting a shootout. Abdullahi attempted to flee but was shot and rearrested. Other gang members escaped and are currently being pursued.
Exhibits recovered from the scene included a long knife and various charms. FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the bravery of the Scorpion Squad and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security operatives.
“This is a major blow to violent crime in the FCT. We are determined to rid our communities of criminal elements,” he said. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, and police have intensified efforts to track and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
The arrest is a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and violent crime in the FCT. The police command’s efforts to protect the public and bring perpetrators to justice are commendable, and the community’s cooperation is essential in the continued fight against crime.
