Operatives of the FCT Police Command have arrested two notorious kidnapping kingpins following a successful counter-kidnapping operation. The suspects, Masud Abdullahi, ‘m’, of Karu LGA, Nasarawa State (the gang leader), and Muhammad Tahir, ‘m’, of Jos, Plateau State, were apprehended after an intensive manhunt.
According to a statement from the command’s spokesperson, CSP Josephine Adeh, the operation was launched after a report was received on August 16, 2025, at approximately 12:05 a.m. that a kidnapping syndicate had attacked an estate in Karu, Abuja. The armed assailants forcibly broke into the residence of Barrister Henry Chichi and abducted him to an unknown location.
Upon receiving the report, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit quickly mobilized, applying intense pressure on the kidnappers, which led to the safe release of the victim on August 17, 2025, at about 9:05 p.m.
In a follow-up operation conducted in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Police Command, the suspects were tracked and intercepted along the Guraku axis of the Nasarawa-FCT Highway after their vehicle—a red Opel Vectra with registration number BLD 566 AT—lost control. While some gang members escaped, Masud Abdullahi and Muhammad Tahir were arrested.
The suspects subsequently led police operatives to their hideout in Karshi Forest, Nasarawa State, where another gang member, Kabiru Jibril (22 years), was also apprehended.
Recovered from the hideout were the following exhibits: ₦7.4 million in cash, three AK-47 rifles with magazines, one G3 rifle with magazine, sixteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and one Tecno handset.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the bravery and professionalism of the operatives and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the safety and security of all residents. He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
For emergencies, the FCT Police can be reached at 08032003913 and 08061581938.
