Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of Nigeria Police, in collaboration with the military, personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and local hunters have rescued a kidnapped naval officer, Cynthia Akor along with two civilians, who were abducted on Friday by armed criminals in the Mpape area of Abuja.
This is even as the security personnel also neutralised three suspected armed robbers terrorising the FCT and its environs.
Confirming their rescue, FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh said “at approximately 7:35pm on the said abduction 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 police further stressed that “upon receiving the distress report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT Police Command, 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 military, DSS and members of the local hunters’ group.
“An intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, between 2:00am and 5:30am on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.
“Additionally, the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects.”
The police said the victims were currently in stable condition and receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Army Clinic.
Speaking on the killing of the three armed robbers, the FCT police spokesperson said they were killed during a midnight operation.
According to her, “The operation began with a distress call put across to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dei-Dei ‘A’ Division on February 12, 2025, at 11:50 pm, reporting an ongoing violent robbery in Filin-Dabo village. Responding swiftly, the DPO alerted the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. They coordinated with operatives from the 102 Battalion, Guards Brigade, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and local vigilante groups to mobilise to the scene.
“Upon spotting the joint security team, the six-member gang attempted to flee into nearby bushes, launching an ambush on the operatives. However, the security personnel responded with superior firepower, engaging the criminals in a fierce exchange.
“Despite their attempts to escape, the suspects were subdued. The suspect who sustained various degrees of bullet wounds were rushed to Kubwa General Hospital where three of them were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty, while the other three sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.”
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