The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers dressed in military camouflage.

The police arrested other suspects linked to kidnapping, culpable homicide, armed robbery, and the supply of ammunition to terrorists and bandits, in a series of intelligence-led operations across Abuja and neighboring states.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday while parading suspects at the Command Headquarters in Abuja.

Sanusi revealed that the Command launched an investigation after videos surfaced on social media showing four unidentified men openly displaying AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and walkie-talkies while dressed in military camouflage.

Following digital forensic analysis and intelligence gathering, operatives of the FCT Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) Sector 5, working alongside personnel from the Zuba Division, carried out a coordinated operation at Runji Village in Zuba on May 25, 2026.

He said the operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Umar Babangida, 25; Adamu Yeti, 22, and Yahaya Idris, 24, all residents of Rijana in Kaduna State.

According to police investigations, the suspects had previously obtained AK-47 rifles from their gang leader known simply as “Esco,” who remains at large.

The CP said further examination of their mobile phones uncovered several videos and photographs showing the suspects dressed in military camouflage while carrying firearms and communication devices.

Items recovered from the suspects included one AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and additional incriminating videos and photographs.

The police boss said the case was reported on May 2, 2026, after family members informed police that the victim had been missing since April 21.

He said: “Through digital intelligence and collaboration with the Benue State Police Command, investigators tracked and arrested Emmanuel Acha Leku, 32, a Cameroonian national, and his girlfriend, Kazan Vincent, in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

“Investigations revealed that the principal suspect had previously engaged in fraudulent activities with the deceased. A dispute reportedly arose after proceeds from the scheme were realised, with the victim allegedly absconding with the money without sharing it”.

“To conceal the crime, he allegedly used the victim’s phone to demand a ransom of five million naira from family members, creating the impression that the victim had been kidnapped.

“After the murder, the suspect fled to Benue State and was reportedly making plans to escape to Cameroon before his arrest.

“Two mobile phones, including the deceased’s phone, were recovered from the suspect. Police also traced and recovered the decomposing remains of the victim, which have been deposited at Sahad Hospital in Apo for autopsy”, Sanusi added.

The Commissioner said the Command also arrested a long-wanted suspect identified as Yau Sule from Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He said Sule had been on the Command’s wanted list since 2023 and was arrested on June 2, 2026, while travelling along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

“Security operatives recovered 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition designed for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

“Investigations further led to the arrest of Maria Sule, the suspect’s sister and wife of a wanted bandit identified as Buhari Shuaibu, who is alleged to be involved in attacks and criminal activities across the FCT, Kaduna, and Niger states”, Sanusi said.

He said preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to a wider network responsible for supplying logistics and ammunition to terrorists, bandits, and kidnapping gangs operating in parts of North-Central Nigeria.

“The FCT Police Command also recorded success in its campaign against “one-chance” robbery operations.

“On May 15, 2026, officers attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit were conducting routine patrols along the Giri-Lugbe Road when they encountered a young woman crying for help.

“The victim informed officers that she had just been robbed by suspected one-chance operators who dispossessed her of her valuables before abandoning her.

“The patrol team immediately launched a pursuit and intercepted a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number SKK 567 AG. Two suspects, Muhammed Muhammed, 22, and Muhammed Saidu, 20, were arrested.

“A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the victim’s laptop, iPhone, and laptop charger. Officers also recovered two knives and a pair of scissors believed to have been used during the robbery operation”, he said. (The Nation)

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