The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the arrest of six suspected members of a notorious “one chance” kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate, recovering N8.25 million allegedly paid as ransom by the family of one of their victims.
The command also disclosed the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and an alleged arms supplier accused of providing ammunition to bandits operating across several northern states.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Commissioner of Police said the “one chance” syndicate was dismantled after police officers tracked the abduction of a young woman who was kidnapped in the Maitama area of Abuja on June 29, 2026.
According to the police, the kidnappers initially demanded N20 million from the victim’s family but later collected N8.25 million before releasing her on July 3, after taking her to Kwan-Kwashe Village in neighbouring Niger State.
The police said investigations continued after the victim’s release, leading to the arrest of six suspects on July 5 in Suleja, Niger State.
Read Also:
- FCT Police Boss Issues DPOs 2-Week Ultimatum To End Robbery, One-Chance Attacks
- FCT police boss warns officers against harassment, extortion
- FCT Police begin screening for constable in new recruitment
The suspects were identified as Ifeoma Nnamchi, alleged to be the gang leader; Peter Onwunumah, Olanipekun Anuoluwa, Jemimah Monday, Gabriel Nnamchi, and Stanley Nnamchi.
Police said all the suspects are residents of Niger State.
Items recovered from the suspects include the N8.25 million ransom, two operational vehicles—a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Camry—one cutlass, seven pairs of airpods, several pieces of jewellery suspected to have been stolen from previous victims, five mobile phones and a laptop.
The police alleged that investigations revealed that Nnamchi and Anuoluwa had previously been arrested by the FCT Police Command in 2022 and 2019, respectively, for similar offences.
According to the command, despite their earlier arrests, the suspects regrouped and resumed operations in 2024, targeting commuters along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of the FCT.
Police further claimed the syndicate confessed to carrying out several ‘one chance’ operations and recently kidnapped and robbed at least five women, collecting a total of N12.8 million in ransom.
The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
In a separate operation, the police said four suspected kidnappers and suppliers of drugs and ammunition to bandits were arrested during clearance operations conducted in Kwali, Abaji and Kuje Area Councils.
The command said police officers raided suspected kidnappers’ hideouts and caves inside the Nago Forest, leading to the arrest of Bello Abdullahi, Shuaibu Iliya, Idris Abubakar and Misbahu Isa.
Police alleged that Isa led investigators to a vehicle parked at Zuba Motor Park, where officers recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition hidden inside a Volkswagen Golf, allegedly used by him for commercial transport.
The command accused Isa of being an arms dealer, supplying ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in Niger, Kaduna and Kogi states.
According to the police, investigations indicate that Isa recently supplied more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition to wanted bandits and kidnappers and received N3 million for the transaction.
Other items recovered from the suspects include codeine-based cough syrups, tramadol tablets and capsules, cannabis, a loaded magazine containing six rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, cash, clothing and a Tecno mobile phone.
Meanwhile, the command said it arrested 560 suspects during coordinated raids on identified criminal hideouts across the FCT over the past week.
Police added that the operations led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, a locally made AK-47 rifle and three rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
The command said it would continue intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks across the FCT, while urging residents to provide timely information to support ongoing anti-crime efforts.
