…Arrest four suspects in Abuja
A joint security operation involving the military and the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory has successfully rescued Lt Cynthia Akor, a Naval officer attached to the Defence Headquarters who was kidnapped on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Lt. Akorm was abducted along with two civilians from Mpape area of Abuja by armed men that attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate and blocked Mpape road before opening fire on moving vehicle thereby paving way for their abduction.
The dare devil kidnappers later contacted their families, demanding ₦500 million for the Naval officer and ₦200 million each for the civilians.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday, March 23, 2025, said that the police personnel from the Command in collaboration with the military, successfully rescued the kidnapped naval officer and the two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja, on March 21, 2025.
According to SP Adeh; “At approximately 7:35 pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.
“Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians”.
The statement further said that following a distress call, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, coordinated a rescue operation involving the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the military, the Department of State Services, and local hunters.
It stated; “Upon receiving the distress report, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilised a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising personnel of the Nigerian military, DSS, hunters, and members of the local Hunters’ Group”.
Adeh also said that the search-and-rescue mission covered Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, extending into Nasarawa State, adding that an intense search-and-rescue operation was effectively carried out.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson said that acting on intelligence, security operatives stormed a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.
In the words of Adeh; “Additionally, the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects”.
Adeh said the rescued victims are currently receiving medical care at the Nigerian Army Clinic, adding that they are in stable condition.
The FCT police said that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.
