FCT Police Nab Kidnap Kingpins, Seize Guns and ₦7.4m

Two suspected masterminds of a kidnap syndicate have been taken into custody by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command after a coordinated counter-kidnapping operation.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR.

The men, identified as Masud Abdullahi of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State—described as the gang leader—and Muhammad Tahir from Jos, Plateau State, were arrested following the abduction of a lawyer in Abuja.

According to the Command, the incident occurred in the early hours of August 16, 2025, when armed men stormed an estate in Karu, broke into the home of Barrister Henry Chichi, and whisked him away. The FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched an operation, which forced the gang to release the victim unharmed on August 17, 2025, at about 9:05 p.m.

Investigators, working with their counterparts in Nasarawa, later tracked the gang along the Guraku axis of the Nasarawa–FCT Highway. Their red Opel Vectra, with registration number BLD 566 AT, lost control, allowing police to intercept. While some suspects managed to escape, Abdullahi and Tahir were captured.

The suspects subsequently led operatives to their base in Karshi Forest, Nasarawa State. Another gang member, 22-year-old Kabiru Jibril, was arrested during the raid. Items recovered included ₦7.4 million in cash, three AK-47 rifles with magazines, a G3 rifle with magazine, 16 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and a Tecno mobile phone.

Commending his men, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, psc, mnips, hailed their courage and professionalism. He assured residents that “efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.”

SP Adeh also urged residents to make use of the Command’s emergency hotlines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.