Police Arrest Six Suspected Kidnappers, Recover ₦8.25 Million Ransom in FCT

By Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered ₦8.25 million allegedly paid as ransom for the release of a female victim abducted in Abuja.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out by detectives attached to the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following a distress report received on June 29 that a young woman had been abducted in the Maitama area of the FCT.

Sources said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦20 million but later accepted ₦8.25 million before releasing the victim on July 3. Investigations and digital tracking reportedly traced the victim's captivity to Kwan-Kwashe Village in neighbouring Niger State.

The sources disclosed that operatives sustained surveillance after the victim regained freedom, leading to the arrest of six suspects on July 5 in Suleja, Niger State. The suspects were identified as Ifeoma Nnamchi, 35, believed to be the gang leader; Peter Rasheed Onwunumah, 40; Olanipekun Anuoluwa, 46; Jemimah Monday, 25; Gabriel Nnamchi, 14; and Stanley Nnamchi, 17.

Items recovered during the operation included the ₦8.25 million ransom, two vehicles—a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Camry—a cutlass, seven pairs of AirPods, assorted jewellery suspected to have been stolen from previous victims, five mobile phones and a laptop.

According to the sources, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspected gang leader, Ifeoma Nnamchi, and Olanipekun Anuoluwa had previously been arrested by the FCT Police Command in 2022 and 2019, respectively, over similar offences. The syndicate is believed to have been operating along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of the FCT since 2024, while investigations are ongoing.