By Andrew Unutame
Three notorious suspects behind a series of high-profile kidnappings and killings in the Federal Capital Territory and its neighbouring states have been apprehended by operatives of the FCT Police Command.
The arrest was made public in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Command, SP Josephine Adeh, who revealed that the suspects—27-year-old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna, 30-year-old Sale Usman from Niger, and 28-year-old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja—were picked up in coordinated raids carried out between June 13 and 18, 2025. The sting operations, executed in Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa States, were led by the elite Scorpion Squad under the command of ACP Victor O. Godfrey.
The trio, described as long-time targets of the police, reportedly confessed to a string of abductions and killings. Among their crimes is the 2024 murder of a pastor in the Mpape area of Abuja and the brutal kidnapping of children in the same community, during which their father was fatally shot. Police also linked the gang to the abduction of a woman whose family paid a N10 million ransom. According to investigators, each suspect received N500,000 from the payout.
One of the suspects, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who is also believed to have supplied weapons to the gang, led police officers to a known hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State, on June 18. The encounter took a violent turn when the team was attacked by other armed members of the gang, leading to a fierce gun battle.
Abdullahi, who attempted to escape amidst the chaos, was shot and subsequently re-arrested, while other gang members managed to flee. A manhunt is currently underway to track down the fugitives.
Items recovered from the hideout included a large knife and a collection of charms, suspected to be used for spiritual protection or intimidation.
Reacting to the development, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, hailed the operation as a critical win in the fight against violent crime in the territory.
“This arrest marks a significant victory in our ongoing battle against insecurity,” CP Adewale stated. “The Command remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting lives and property. We urge residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities.”
The suspects are currently in custody as further investigations and operations continue to root out the remaining members of the criminal gang.
