Police in Abuja have arrested a second suspect linked to recent high-profile kidnappings in the FCT.
The suspect, Sale Usman, reportedly confessed and revealed key details about the gang’s operations.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigerian Police Force has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into a series of high-profile kidnappings across Abuja and neighboring states. The command announced the arrest of a second major suspect believed to be deeply involved in the kidnapping syndicate that has terrorized residents in recent months.
Reliable police sources disclosed that the suspect, identified as Sale Usman, a 30-year-old native of Niger State, was arrested on Monday, June 17, around 4:30 p.m. Usman, who resides in Shishipe village in the Mpape area of Abuja, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Victor O. Godfrey and was carried out following a strategic forensic intelligence operation.
Usman’s arrest follows the earlier capture of another key suspect, 27-year-old Y’au Shittu, who was taken into custody on June 13. Both men are believed to be part of a dangerous gang responsible for a wave of violent abductions across the capital and surrounding regions.
According to police insiders, Usman has a well-documented history of violent criminal activities, particularly kidnappings for ransom. He is said to have played a central role in multiple abductions, including the kidnapping and eventual murder of a pastor whose case drew widespread condemnation. He is also implicated in the kidnapping of a woman for whom a ransom of ₦10 million was paid before she was eventually released.
In another tragic case linked to the suspect, Usman and his gang allegedly abducted three children from a household after fatally shooting their father, who reportedly tried to resist the attackers. These incidents, among others, have heightened fear and insecurity among residents, especially in remote and semi-urban parts of the FCT.
During his interrogation, Usman reportedly confessed to his involvement in these heinous crimes. He is said to have provided vital information regarding the operations of the gang, including the identities and current locations of several other members who are still at large. His statements are expected to aid ongoing efforts to dismantle the entire network and bring all those involved to justice.
A dagger was recovered from Usman during the arrest, raising concerns that more weapons might still be in the possession of his accomplices. The police have since launched a follow-up operation aimed at recovering these weapons and tracking down the remaining suspects.
The FCT Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and rooting out criminal elements operating within the territory. Authorities have called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
The arrest of Sale Usman marks another major success in the Command’s intensified crackdown on kidnapping rings, which have become increasingly sophisticated and ruthless in their operations. While investigations continue, security experts have stressed the importance of sustained intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration to curtail the menace of kidnapping in Nigeria’s capital and beyond.
