The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said its operatives have dismantled a notorious kidnap syndicate operating within the Durumi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp.
It was learnt that the operation led to the rescue of Sambo Umar Labibo, a citizen of Burkina Faso, and the arrest of five suspects linked to the criminal network.
Josephine Adeh, Public Relations Officer of the Command, noted that the operation, which took place on March 18, 2025, was initiated after the Durumi Divisional Headquarters received an urgent report that Labibo had been abducted on March 14, 2025.
She asserted that the kidnappers had forced the victim to contact a close associate, demanding a ransom of fifteen million naira (₦15,000,000) for his release.
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“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, police operatives from the Durumi Division launched a meticulously planned operation. Collaborating closely with the victim’s associate, the officers set a trap for the kidnappers at the designated ransom collection point. As the suspects arrived to collect the ransom, they were swiftly apprehended before they could escape.
“The arrested suspects include: Ibrahim Umar, Hamza Buba, Muktar Mohammed, Masaud Abdullahi and Moses Idoko, identified as the gang’s medical director, responsible for providing medical care to both the suspects and their victims.
“Following their arrest, the suspects led the police operatives to their hideout within the Durumi IDP Camp, where Sambo Umar Labibo was found and rescued unharmed. The police have also intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate,” the statement added.
