FCT Police arrest suspected kidnap logistics supplier, recover AK-47, drugs in Niger

Following the recent kidnapping incident at the Yellow House area of Mpape in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operatives of the FCT Police Command have arrested a suspected logistics supplier to the kidnappers in neighbouring Niger State.

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

According to the police commissioner, the kidnapping occurred on July 8, 2026, after which the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a manhunt that led to the arrest of one Umaru Danda, a native of Zamfara State, at Gadabiu village in Niger State on July 10.

CP Sanusi said investigations identified the suspect as a major supplier of hard drugs, logistics and other illicit substances to the kidnappers responsible for the Mpape abduction.

He explained that following his arrest, the suspect led operatives to three separate hideouts used by the kidnapping gang in Niger State, where several exhibits were recovered.

Items recovered include 25 cards of 225mg tramadol, 30 cards of 100mg tramadol, two wraps of a white substance suspected to be cocaine, a 500mg pack of cannabis pills, dried substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, two bottles containing 500 tablets each of Embazol, two black bags filled with dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, one digital weighing scale, two AirPods, two ATM cards, two bags, N250,000 in cash and an AK-47 rifle.

The police commissioner said the suspect remains in custody alongside the recovered exhibits and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

In a related development, CP Sanusi also announced the successful rescue of a kidnap victim abducted in the Karshi area of the FCT.

He said the Command received a distress call on July 12, 2026, reporting that armed kidnappers had abducted a resident after firing sporadically to create panic before fleeing with the victim.

Following the report, the CP said he directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to immediately commence rescue operations.

The operatives combed the Karshi axis while simultaneously searching the adjoining Waru hills, an area with several difficult routes linking the FCT to Nasarawa State.

“The operation paid off on July 16, 2026, at about 12:45 a.m., when the hostage was rescued unharmed without the payment of ransom,” Sanusi said.

He added that the victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention and has since been reunited with her family.