By Augustine Ehikioya
In collaborative efforts, the FCT Police Command and the Military on March 21, 2025 successfully rescued a kidnapped Naval Officer, along with two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja.
A statement by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Abuja, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), disclosed that at approximately 7:35pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Mamman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.
Shortly after the attack, it said, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the Naval Officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians.
Upon receiving the distress report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT Police Command, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with Military authorities, mobilized a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising of personnel of the Nigerian Military, DSS, hunters, 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 (4) 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 victims, the statement said, are currently in stable condition and are receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Army Clinic.
“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.
“Security deployments have also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences. As members of the public are advised to go about their daily activities without any apprehension.”
The FCT Police Command has also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the Police via the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, 07057337653, Complaint Response Unit: 08107314192.
