The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers captured in a viral video openly displaying AK-47 rifles, ammunition and walkie-talkies while dressed in military camouflage.
Confirming the arrests, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, said he ordered an immediate investigation after receiving the viral video and photographs.
According to him, a detailed forensic analysis was conducted to determine the origin of the content, leading to actionable intelligence on the suspects’ whereabouts.
Sanusi said operatives of the FCT Police Command’s Anti-Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) Sector 5, in collaboration with personnel from the Zuba Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ogu Caleb Ikechukwu, carried out a coordinated operation at Runji Village in Zuba.
The operation, conducted on May 25 at about 3:22 a.m., led to the arrest of three suspects featured in the viral videos at their hideout.
The suspects were identified as Umar Babangida, 25; Adamu Yeti, 22; and Yahaya Idris, 24, all residents of Rijana in Kaduna State.
The commissioner said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had previously possessed the AK-47 rifles, which were allegedly supplied by their gang leader, identified only as “Esco,” who is currently at large.
Further investigations also led to the recovery of additional videos and photographs from the suspects’ mobile phones showing them dressed in military camouflage while brandishing AK-47 rifles and carrying walkie-talkies.
Sanusi said the suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the gang leader and other fleeing members of the group, as well as recover the firearms.
