Police Arrest Kuje Prison Inmate Among Gang Which Kidnapped 17 Residents In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police have apprehended members of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for the abduction of 17 individuals from housing estates in Abuja. The incident, which occurred in December 2023, involved armed men dressed in military attire who targeted residents in the Dei-Dei area. The Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, disclosed that among those arrested were Isa Mohammed Ibrahim, who had escaped from Kuje prison during a previous breakout in 2022, and his brother, Nasiru Mohammed, also known as Danger.

Acting on credible intelligence, FCT police operatives from the anti-kidnapping unit successfully tracked and arrested Isa Mohammed Ibrahim and his brother on May 26, 2024. The suspects confessed to their involvement in the Dei-Dei abduction, where they extorted substantial ransoms totaling N400,000 and N300,000 respectively. They also admitted to being part of a larger syndicate, one of four groups operating in FCT and surrounding areas. The overall syndicate is allegedly led by a sub-commander known as Mallam, who is currently evading arrest, under the general leadership of Ardo, who is also at large.

During the arrests, the police recovered 91 rustled cattle, four sheep, and an AK-47 rifle from the suspects. Additionally, in a separate operation jointly conducted by police divisions in Utako and Kubwa, several other suspects were apprehended in Agena, Abaji, and Chikara along the FCT-Kogi state border. Notorious figures like Umar Adamu, alias Walejo, known for supplying ammunition to kidnappers across multiple states including Nasarawa, Abuja, Kogi, and Kaduna, were among those arrested.

Another suspect, Abdurahaman Abubakar, alias Juli, was apprehended in connection with the kidnapping along the Abuja/Kogi road, where occupants of hijacked Hummer buses were abducted. The police intend to charge all suspects to court soon.

The FCT police operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and related criminal activities in the region. The arrests underscore the persistence of law enforcement in tackling organized crime and ensuring the safety of residents and travelers in and around Abuja.

This development comes amidst heightened security concerns and efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the area. Authorities continue to urge vigilance among residents and cooperation with law enforcement to curb criminal activities and maintain public safety in the Federal Capital Territory