Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested two notorious kidnap kingpins who have been terrorizing residents of Abuja and its environs.

The suspects were identified as Masud Abdullahi, a native of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and leader of the gang, and Muhammad Tahir of Jos, Plateau State. Their arrest followed a counter-kidnapping operation carried out on August 16, 2025, according to Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the FCT Command.

Adeh explained that the gang had stormed an estate in Karu, Abuja, where they forcefully broke into the residence of Barrister Henry Chichi and abducted him to an undisclosed location. Acting swiftly, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a coordinated operation that led to the victim’s safe rescue on August 17, 2025.

The suspects were later intercepted along the Guraku axis of the Nasarawa–FCT highway after their vehicle lost control. While some members of the gang managed to escape, Abdullahi and Tahir were taken into custody.

Further investigations led the police to the gang’s hideout in Karshi Forest, Nasarawa State, where another member, Kabiru Jibril, was also arrested.

Items recovered from the criminals’ den included:

• ₦7.4 million cash
• Three AK-47 rifles with magazines
• One G3 rifle with magazine
• Sixteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition
• One Tecno handset

Adeh assured residents that the FCT Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Benneth Igweh, remains committed to rooting out criminal gangs and ensuring the safety of Abuja residents.