Police arrest four kidnappers, arms supplier, recover ammunition, drugs in border raids

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers and an alleged arms supplier during coordinated clearance operations targeting criminal hideouts in border communities of the FCT, recovering live ammunition, suspected illicit drugs and other exhibits.

The operation, carried out on July 5, 2026, forms part of the Command’s sustained campaign to dismantle kidnapping networks operating within the FCT and adjoining states.

According to the Police, the raids were conducted in remote communities across Kwali, Abaji and Kuje Area Councils by a combined security team led by the FCT Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

The operatives reportedly dislodged suspected kidnappers from their hideouts and smoked them out of caves located in the Nago Forest in Kuje Area Council before arresting four suspects identified as Bello Abdullahi, Shuaibu Iliya, Idris Abubakar and Misbahu Isa.

Police investigations identified Misbahu Isa as a suspected arms dealer allegedly responsible for supplying ammunition to kidnapping gangs operating across Niger, Kaduna and Kogi states.

According to the Command, the suspect led operatives to Zuba Motor Park, where they recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside his Volkswagen Golf saloon car, which he allegedly used as a commercial vehicle.

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Preliminary investigations, the police said, revealed that Isa had recently supplied more than 20,000 rounds of live ammunition to wanted bandits and kidnappers and allegedly received N3 million for the transaction.

The Command said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network.

In addition to the ammunition, operatives recovered several suspected illicit substances and other items from the suspects.

The recovered exhibits include six bottles of Codolyn syrup, nine bottles of Piscof syrup, two bottles of Exiplon syrup, one bottle of NGC Codeine syrup, 125 wraps of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, one bunch of fresh leaves suspected to be cannabis, 21 tablets and 17 capsules of Tramadol 100mg, and 78 tablets of Exzole.

Other items recovered include a magazine loaded with six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, a torchlight, a Tecno mobile phone, a national identity slip belonging to one Sani Umar, a bag containing assorted clothes, and a cash sum of N170,000.

The FCT Police Command said the operation underscores its commitment to eliminating kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes across the nation’s capital and surrounding communities.

It assured residents that ongoing intelligence-led operations would continue until all criminal elements operating within the territory and neighbouring border areas are apprehended and brought to justice.