NPF- IRT FOILS KIDNAP PLOT AGAINST ABUJA PROPHETESS, ARRESTS FOUR

The Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap a prophetess and assistant pastor in Abuja, arresting four suspects and recovering a locally made firearm and a vehicle allegedly prepared for the operation.

The suspects were paraded by the IRT as part of the unit’s recent operations against kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

Speaking during the parade, the IRT Commander, DCP Adamu Muazu, said the alleged plot was particularly disturbing because some of the suspects were members of the same church as the intended victim.

The victim, identified as Prophetess Elizabeth, is an assistant pastor and had reportedly been a member of the church for several years.

According to the police, the alleged suspects became interested in her after she gave a testimony in church about her personal achievements and business success.

Investigators alleged that information contained in the testimony was subsequently used by some members of the congregation to plan her abduction.

One of the suspects, David Obaje, was said to have worked as Elizabeth’s driver for about three months and had been a member of the church for approximately four years, giving him knowledge of her movements and routine.

Another suspect, David Dennis, had reportedly been a member of the church for about six years and worked as a bodyguard to the senior pastor.

Police said the suspects allegedly used a WhatsApp group to communicate and coordinate the planned operation. Investigators also discovered that arrangements had allegedly been made to bring another person from Kogi State to participate in the abduction.

According to the police, the suspects planned to attack the woman after she left an evening church service on October 1.

Their alleged plan was to use a vehicle to block or deliberately hit her car, creating the appearance of a road accident and forcing her to stop.

The suspects would then allegedly overpower her and take her to a predetermined location where she was expected to be held.

The vehicle allegedly acquired for the operation was recovered by the police during the investigation.

Investigators also recovered a firearm allegedly procured for the planned abduction.

According to the police, the suspects told investigators that the weapon was purchased from a vigilante group for N120,000. The IRT described the recovered weapon as a locally fabricated AK-47.

The police further alleged that the suspects obtained a security uniform as part of their preparations.

However, the planned operation was disrupted after the IRT received intelligence about the alleged conspiracy and moved to arrest the suspects before the abduction could take place.

DCP Muazu said the case highlighted the need for members of the public to exercise caution when disclosing sensitive personal information, particularly in public gatherings.

He urged worshippers to be mindful of information they share about their financial situation, businesses, properties, movements and personal achievements.

The commander also called on churches to strengthen security arrangements around their premises, particularly during evening services, with adequate lighting, controlled access and proper monitoring of vehicles and people leaving the premises.

He said the police would continue investigating the case to determine the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify other persons who may have been involved.

The suspects are expected to be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.

The IRT also paraded suspects arrested in connection with a separate highway robbery case, including two 28-year-old suspects identified as Honor and James and Inusa Sayedu, also 28. A white vehicle allegedly linked to the suspects was recovered.

The police said investigations into the robbery case were ongoing to establish whether the suspects were connected to other incidents.

DCP Muazu assured Nigerians that the IRT would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations to identify criminal networks, disrupt planned attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

He also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and movements to security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence remains critical to preventing kidnapping and other violent crimes.