The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced a series of major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities across Abuja, including the arrest of a suspected logistics supplier to kidnappers, the rescue of an abducted victim, the apprehension of suspected car thieves and one-chance operators, as well as the recovery of weapons, illicit drugs and stolen items.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday at the Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said the successes were made possible through intelligence-led policing and the cooperation of residents who continue to provide timely information to security agencies.

Suspected Kidnap Logistics Supplier Arrested

According to the police commissioner, investigations into the July 8 kidnapping incident at Yellow House in Mpape led operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to Gadabiu village in Niger State, where they arrested Umaru Danda, a native of Zamfara State, on July 10.

Investigations identified the suspect as a key supplier of hard drugs, logistics and other prohibited items used by the kidnappers responsible for the Mpape attack.

Following his arrest, the suspect reportedly led detectives to three hideouts used by the gang in Niger State, where police recovered 25 cards of 225mg tramadol, two wraps of a substance suspected to be cocaine, cannabis pills, dried cannabis, 30 cards of 100mg tramadol, two bottles containing 500 tablets each of Embazol, two bags filled with dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, a digital scale, two AirPods, two ATM cards, two bags, N250,000 cash and an AK-47 rifle.

Police said the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

Kidnap Victim Rescued Without Ransom

The command also disclosed that another operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led to the rescue of a kidnap victim abducted from Karshi on July 12 after gunmen reportedly fired several shots before escaping with the victim.

CP Sanusi said he immediately ordered a rescue mission, with operatives combing the Karshi axis while simultaneously searching the Waru hills, which serve as routes linking the FCT and Nasarawa State.

The victim was rescued unharmed at about 12:45 a.m. on July 16 without any ransom payment. She was taken to hospital for treatment before being reunited with her family.

Items recovered during the operation included a painted Makarov pistol, a dagger, military camouflage clothing and assorted charms.

Four Suspected Car Thieves Arrested

The FCT Police Command also announced the arrest of four suspects accused of targeting commercial drivers, particularly Bolt and Uber operators.

The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmad Umar, Riskwa Shehu and Umar Abubakar, were arrested on July 7 following intelligence gathering by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

Police investigations showed that the suspects allegedly booked ride-hailing vehicles as passengers before attacking drivers and stealing their vehicles and valuables.

Recovered from the suspects were an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4 with registration number YAB 240 DL and a grey Honda Civic bearing registration number ABC 72 JP.

The suspects are expected to face prosecution after investigations.

Three Suspected One-Chance Operators Arrested

In another operation carried out on July 14, operatives on patrol along the Life Camp-Gwarimpa Underpass intercepted a heavily tinted dark blue Golf vehicle with registration number RSH 621 BR after its occupants allegedly attempted to flee upon sighting police officers.

The suspects arrested were identified as Orji Chibueze, 35; Chibuike Odo, 33; and Chibuikem Stanley, 36.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a wig, screwdriver, scissors, knife, dried substance suspected to be the cannabis strain known as “colos”, three mobile phones, a cap and a rope.

Police said investigations are ongoing, after which the suspects will be charged to court.

Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested After Gun Battle

The police also foiled an armed robbery operation in Nyanya following a distress call received at about 4:50 a.m. on July 19.

Responding officers arrived at Area ‘A’, Nyanya, where they found five armed men allegedly attacking a resident, Mr. Linus, after digging through the perimeter fence of his shop to gain entry into his residence.

The suspects reportedly opened fire on the police, prompting an exchange of gunfire during which two of them sustained injuries before escaping. The victim was rescued and taken to hospital.

Police later traced one of the injured suspects through bloodstains leading to a residence in Area ‘A’, Block 8, where 20-year-old Abdulraman Ismail was arrested.

Recovered from the premises were bloodstained clothes, a toy gun, a digger, two machetes, a military belt, a bag containing an ID card belonging to Jamilu Abdullahi, a National Identity Card and voter card belonging to Yahaya Jamilu, a counterfeit N1,000 note, jewellery, a torchlight, assorted charms and an MTN SIM card.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Jamilu Yahaya, 25, who was identified as the owner of the bag and the residence where the first suspect was apprehended.

Police said he subsequently led investigators to the residence of Junaidu Usman, 30, described as a chemist who allegedly treated another injured suspect, Danlami Abubakar, who remains at large.

The command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect before all those involved are prosecuted.

Five Stolen Vehicles Recovered

The commissioner also revealed that the command, in separate operations, recovered five vehicles stolen within the FCT from different parts of the country.

While some of the vehicles have already been returned to their rightful owners, others are yet to be claimed.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to public safety, CP Sanusi said, “if you see something, say something.”

He assured residents that the FCT Police Command would continue to uphold professionalism, respond swiftly to distress calls and intensify proactive policing, stressing that criminals would find no refuge in the nation’s capital.

The commissioner urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to security agencies, noting that effective policing requires active collaboration between law enforcement and residents.