- A notorious kidnap gang led by a woman has been smashed in Abuja.
- FCT Police arrested six suspects and recovered N8.25 million ransom paid for a victim abducted in Maitama.
ABUJA, FCT— Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrested six suspected members of a kidnapping and “one chance” armed robbery syndicate and recovered N8.25 million paid as ransom for a female victim, the Commissioner of Police said Tuesday. CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi disclosed this during a press briefing on July 7, 2026 as part of the command’s anti-crime operations update.
How FCT Police Tracked the Kidnap Syndicate
Detectives attached to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit launched the operation after receiving a distress report on June 29, 2026 that a young woman had been abducted in the Maitama area of the FCT. CP Sanusi said the kidnappers initially demanded N20 million but later accepted N8.25 million before releasing the victim on July 3. Investigations and digital tracking traced the victim’s captivity to Kwan-Kwashe Village in neighbouring Niger State.
Who Police Arrested in Suleja Raid
Operatives sustained surveillance after the victim regained freedom, leading to the arrest of six suspects on July 5 in Suleja, Niger State. Police identified the suspects 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 included the N8.25 million ransom, two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Camry, a cutlass, seven pairs of AirPods, assorted jewellery, five mobile phones and a laptop.
Suspects Were Arrested Before by FCT Police
Preliminary investigations revealed that 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, CP Sanusi said. Police said the items recovered are suspected to have been stolen from previous victims of the syndicate’s one chance operations in Abuja.
What This Means for Abuja Residents
The development means FCT Police are intensifying efforts against kidnap and one chance syndicates operating between Abuja and Niger State. CP Sanusi said the command remains committed to protecting residents and will continue intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks. The suspects will be charged to court after investigations, police said.
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