Operatives from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers in connection with an abduction in the Gwagwa area of the FCT on June 12, 2024.

The suspects allegedly kidnapped a resident, collected a ransom of N12 million from the victim’s family, and killed two others.

According to a statement by the FCT Command Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the arrests took place in the Gwagwa and Dei-Dei areas of the FCT.

“In a continuous effort to rid the nation’s capital of criminality, the operatives of the FCT police command from the Utako division, in a two-day streak operation between June 30 and July 3, 2024, acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested five notorious kidnappers at Gwagwa and Dei-Dei, Abuja, respectively,” Adeh said.

The suspects, identified as Umar Abdullahi (a.k.a. Auta, 20), Likita Abubakar (29), Salisu Sani (24), Sabiu Mohammed, and Aliyu Suleiman (24), were apprehended in connection with the June 12 kidnapping. They are also believed to be involved in several other kidnappings and heinous acts in the capital territory.

Weapons ranging from AK-47 rifles, Dane gun,  magazines, and unexpended live ammunition were retrieved from the suspects. All suspects have confessed to the crime, according to Adeh.

“Four AK-47 rifles, a Dane gun, two magazines, and eight unexpended live ammunition were recovered from the suspects, as they have all confessed to the crime.

“While the Investigation is still ongoing, the commissioner of police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, reaffirms the command’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the security and safety of residents.

“He also urges the residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines in reporting suspicious activities,” Adeh stated.