By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested two notorious kidnap kingpins and recovered firearms and ₦7.4 million in cash following a counter-kidnapping operation.
SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command in a statement said, the suspects, identified as Masud Abdullahi, the gang leader from Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, and Muhammad Tahir of Jos, Plateau State, were arrested after their gang invaded an estate in Karu, Abuja, on August 16, 2025, at about 12:05 a.m.
The assailants abducted one Barrister Henry Chichi from his residence and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
According to police, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched an operation that mounted pressure on the gang, leading to the safe release of the victim on August 17, 2025, at about 9:05 p.m.
In a follow-up operation, carried out in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Police Command, operatives intercepted the suspects along the Guraku axis of the Nasarawa–FCT highway after their operational vehicle, a red Opel Vectra (registration number BLD 566 AT), lost control. While some members of the gang escaped, Abdullahi and Tahir were arrested.
The suspects later led police to their hideout in the Karshi Forest, Nasarawa State, where another accomplice, Kabiru Jibril (22), was arrested. Items recovered from the hideout include ₦7.4 million cash,Three AK-47 rifles with magazines,One G3 rifle with magazine,16 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and One Tecno handset
The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Ajao Adewale, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reassured residents of the Command’s determination to rid the capital of criminal elements. He also noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
