The police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have said operatives arrested members of a kidnapping syndicate that attacked an estate in Dei-Dei, Bwari area council in December, 2023 and kidnapped at least 17 victims. 

The abduction was carried out by the gang in three housing estates in the area. 

The kidnappers, who were said to be in military uniform, had arrived at the livestock layout area, located on the edge of the popular Abuja livestock market, Dei-Dei, around 8pm and carried out their operation. 

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, in a media briefing on Monday identified the suspects as Isa Mohammed Ibrahim 30 years, ‘m’ of Kofina, Zuba, Abuja (an escapee of Kuje prison break in 2022) and his brother, Nasiru Mohammed A.K.A Danger. 

He said; "On May 26, 2024 at about 10am, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the FCT police command from anti-kidnapping unit trailed and arrested: Isa Mohammed Ibrahim 30 years, ‘m’ of Kofina, Zuba, Abuja (an escapee of Kuje prison break in 2022) and his brother, Nasiru Mohammed A.K.A Danger. 

"The suspects are members of the kidnapping syndicate that stormed live stock estate in Dei-Dei sometimes in December, 2023 and kidnapped seventeen (17) victims, collected huge ransom before releasing the victims. They confessed to the crime and to have collected the sum of N400,000 and N300,000 respectively from the ransom. 

"They also mentioned that their syndicate being one of the four kidnapping groups terrorising FCT and its environs is headed by sub commander Mallam currently on the run and under the general leadership of one Ardo also at large, commanding the four groups. Ninety-one (91) rustled cattle, four sheep, one AK-47 rifle, were recovered from them and they will be charged to court soon.

"Also, police operatives of the command attached to Utako and Kubwa police divisions, in a joint operation in Agena, Abaji and Chikara, Kogi state bordering FCT, from 18th to 19th June, 2024, acting on intelligence, arrested the following suspects; Umar Adamu a.k.a Walejo 42 years ‘m’ of Abaji, a notorious and wanted informant and logistic supplier to bandits. 

"He supplies ammunition to kidnappers in Nasarawa, Abuja, Kogi and Kaduna state. He is also the commander of Fulani Miyetti vigilante in Abuja.

"Abdurahaman Abubakar a.k.a Juli 35 years, ‘m’ of Kogi state; he was arrested in connection with the kidnapping along Abuja/Kogi road where travelling Hummer buses were hijacked and the occupants kidnapped. 

"Suspects will be charged to court soon," the statement added.