Three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping gang believed to be responsible for a series of high-profile abductions and killings in Abuja and neighboring states have been arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
The suspects — 27-year-old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna State, 30-year-old Sale Usman from Niger State, and 28-year-old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja — were apprehended during a string of coordinated sting operations conducted between June 13 and 18, 2025, across Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa States.
The operations were executed by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad, based on what police described as “credible digital reconstructive intelligence.”
Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrests in a statement released Thursday, revealing that the trio had been on the Command’s wanted list for their roles in multiple criminal acts. She said the suspects confessed to their involvement in several kidnappings and killings, including the 2024 murder of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children in the same area.
“The suspects admitted to the abduction of a woman for whom a ransom of N10 million was paid. Each gang member reportedly received N500,000 as their share,” Adeh stated.
The breakthrough was credited to Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor O. Godfrey, who led the intelligence-driven operations. One of the suspects, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also allegedly served as the gang’s arms supplier, reportedly guided police to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State, on June 18.
Upon arrival, officers were ambushed by other members of the gang who opened fire, prompting a shootout.
“Abdullahi tried to escape during the confrontation but was shot and re-arrested. The remaining suspects at the hideout managed to flee and are currently being tracked by our operatives,” Adeh added.
Recovered items from the scene include a long knife and various charms believed to have been used by the gang for protection and to instill fear in their victims.
Reacting to the arrests, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the Scorpion Squad for their courage and tactical execution of the operation.
“This operation represents a significant victory in our fight against violent crime. We remain committed to purging criminal networks from our communities,” he said.
The Commissioner also called on residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies, emphasizing that community support is vital in the fight against crime.
The suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members still at large.
