FCT Security: ‎Police, Military Rescue Kidnapped Naval Officer, Two Others, Arrest Four Suspects

‎Four Suspects have been arrested by a Joint Security Operation in connection with the abduction of a Naval Officer, Cynthia Akor and other victims at Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State.‎‎The Naval Officer Cynthia Akor who is also a staff of the Armed Forces Radio was kidnapped on her way from office at Mpape few meters away from Maitama one of the high brow areas in the Federal Capital Territory.‎‎In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the military, successfully rescued the kidnapped Naval Officer, along with two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja, on March 21, 2025.‎‎The statement said that at about 7:35 PM on Friday, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.‎‎ The kidnappers contacted the victims’ families after the attack, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the Naval Officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians.‎‎MUST READ: Ramadan: President Tinubu donates 7000 bags of rice to APC members In Zamfara

The statement said upon receiving the distress report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT Police Command, 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 for an intense search-and-rescue operation conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State.‎‎The statement further stated that acting on credible intelligence, 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 statement said the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects.‎‎The victims 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.

(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)