FCT Police storm kidnappers’ hideouts in Niger, arrest suspect, rescue victim

Following a recent kidnapping incident at the Yellow House, Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, operatives of the FCT Police Command have trailed and arrested a suspect in Niger State.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

He said following the incident, which occurred on July 8, 2026, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit trailed and arrested one Umaru Danda, a native of Zamfara State at Gadabiu village in Niger State on July 10, 2026.

The FCT police boss revealed that the suspect was later identified as a major supplier of hard drugs, logistics, and other illicit substances to the kidnappers responsible for the incident at the Yellow House area in Mpape.

He said following the arrest, the alleged drug supplier led operatives of the command to three separate hideouts used by the kidnapping gang in Niger State where several items were recovered.

Items recovered include twenty-five cards of 225 mg of tramadol; two wraps of white substance suspected to be cocaine; five hundred milligrams pack of cannabis pills; dried substance suspected to be cannabis sativa; thirty cards of 100 mg tramadol; two bottles containing 500 tablets each of Embazol; two black bags containing dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Others are one digital scale; two air pods; two ATM Cards; two bags; cash sum of N250,000 and one AK-47 rifle.

The CP told journalists that the suspect and exhibits “are in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations”.

Meanwhile, in a similar investigation, CP Sanusi said the command recorded another breakthrough with the rescue of a resident who was kidnapped in the Karshi area of the nation’s capital.

He said on July 12, 2026, “The command received a distress call reporting that suspected kidnappers had abducted a victim from Karshi Area of the FCT after firing sporadically to create panic before fleeing the scene with the hostage.

“Upon receiving the report, I directed our Anti-Kidnapping Unit to immediately commence rescue operations.

“Acting swiftly, the team moved into the adjoining Waru hills where there are unconventional paths and routes linking the FCT to Nasarawa State, while simultaneously combing Karshi axis.  

“The operation paid off on the 16th of July, 2026, at approximately 12:45 AM when the hostage was successfully rescued unharmed and without the payment of ransom. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and has since been reunited with her family.”