The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a notorious six-member “one chance” kidnapping syndicate, recovered N8.25 million ransom paid by a victim’s family, and apprehended an alleged arms supplier linked to kidnappers and bandits as part of intensified operations against violent crime across Abuja.
Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, where he highlighted the Command’s recent anti-crime achievements.
Sanusi said the operations underscore the Command’s commitment to ensuring that criminal activities do not thrive within the nation’s capital.
The Commissioner said the breakthrough followed a distress call received on June 29 over the suspected abduction of a young woman in the Maitama area of Abuja.
According to him, the kidnappers demanded N20 million from the victim’s family but eventually collected N8.25 million before releasing her on July 3 after taking her to Kwan-Kwashe village in neighbouring Niger State.
He said police operatives tracked the suspects through digital intelligence and arrested six members of the syndicate on July 5 in Suleja, Niger State.
The suspects were identified as Ifeoma Nnamchi (35), Peter Rasheed Onwunumah (40), Olanipekun Anuoluwa (46), Jemimah Monday (25), Gabriel Nnamchi (14) and Stanley Nnamchi (17).
Sanusi identified Ifeoma Nnamchi as the gang leader, revealing that she and another suspect, Olanipekun Anuoluwa, had previously been arrested by the FCT Police Command in 2022 and 2019, respectively, for similar offences.
Investigations showed the syndicate had resumed operations in 2024, targeting commuters along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of the FCT.
The police recovered the entire N8.25 million ransom, two operational vehicles, a cutlass, seven AirPods, several pieces of jewellery suspected to belong to previous victims, five mobile phones and a laptop.
The Commissioner disclosed that the gang confessed to carrying out several “one chance” attacks and recently kidnapped and robbed five female victims, collecting about N12.8 million in ransom.
He said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.
Alleged Arms Supplier to Bandits Arrested
Sanusi also announced the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and logistics suppliers during clearance operations conducted in border communities around Kwali, Abaji and Kuje Area Councils.
He said security operatives raided criminal hideouts in the Nago Forest, dislodging suspected kidnappers and arresting Bello Abdullahi, Shuaibu Iliya, Idris Abubakar and Misbahu Isa.
According to him, investigations identified Misbahu Isa as an alleged arms dealer supplying ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating across Niger, Kaduna and Kogi states.
He said the suspect led operatives to Zuba Motor Park, where they recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside his Volkswagen Golf vehicle.
Sanusi alleged that Isa recently supplied more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition to wanted kidnappers and bandits and received N3 million for the transaction.
Other exhibits recovered include codeine syrup, cannabis, tramadol tablets and capsules, cash, clothing, a Tecno phone and a magazine loaded with six rounds of live ammunition.
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The Commissioner further disclosed that intelligence-led raids carried out across identified criminal black spots within the FCT in the past week resulted in the arrest of 560 suspects.
He said operatives also recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a locally made AK-47 rifle, and three rounds of 9mm live ammunition during the operations.
Sanusi reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain aggressive operations against criminal networks, urging residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
He assured residents that the Command would continue working to safeguard lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.