Security
FCT Minister places N20 million bounty on fleeing kidnappers
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has offered a N20 million reward to the FCT Police Command for the arrest of two suspected kidnappers at large.
The FCT Minister made the offer during his maiden visit to the FCT Police Command in Abuja on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, where some arrested criminals, including kidnappers and one chance robbers were paraded by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benedict Igwe.
Barr. Wike who was informed that the FCT Police Command was on the trail of two suspected kidnappers at large, following the arrests of their wives when they attempted to collect ransom payments for kidnapped victims in the FCT, urged the police to go after the criminals wherever they may be hiding and make sure they are apprehended.
He said, “Let me put money on their head. Wherever they are, put your men out there. I will give them N20 million. Go and fish them out wherever they are. I want to see them alive or dead.”
The FCT Minister also commended the FCT Commissioner of Police and his men for their efforts in addressing the security challenges in the FCT, saying that there has been marked improvement in the security situation in the FCT since the new CP assumed office.
He assured that the FCTA, with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will provide operational vehicles and other communication gadgets to the FCT Police Command in the next few days to improve their crime-fighting capabilities.
He said, “Let me assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to provide you with all that you require to fight crime and criminality in this FCT. We believe that in the next few days, you will have more vehicles, you will have more communication gadgets that will enable you and your men to face these criminals”.
Stressing that information is key, Barr. Wike also called on members of the public to see the police as their friends and provide credible intelligence that will lead to the arrest of criminals, even as he urged the police to improve their intelligence-gathering ability.
The Minister also charged the press to report the positive achievements of the security agencies, saying it was wrong to focus only on the negatives.
He said, “Try and publicize the positive aspects of what they are doing, not everyday negative because if FCT is not safe, you as journalists too, you can’t be here. So, we need a safe environment for you to be able to carry out your own job”.
Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Police Commissioner disclosed that the operatives of Utako Divisional Headquarters, in concert with the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command, arrested seven (7) wanted kidnapping suspects, including two women.
The Police Commissioner said the apprehended suspects were responsible for some of the heinous crimes in the FCT, including kidnappings and killing of 14 victims between November last year and January 2024 before their arrests.
He said the suspects were arrested in Pyakassa, Tudun Wada, and Ketti village, and held in connection with the kidnapping of 14 notable persons in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the police also recovered N9 million cash, purportedly paid as ransom to the kidnappers as well as guns, machetes, amulets, bulletproof vests and a locally fabricated walkie-talkie, which the criminals used for their operations.
According to the CP, “These kidnappers, who have been giving FCT a sleepless night and on the wanted list of the command for a long time, have now been arrested.
“They are responsible for the kidnapping of five victims in Federal Mortgage Housing Estate, Kabusa. 3 persons at Ketti village: Fulani residents of Alhaji Sani, a woman and her gateman in Kabusa Estate, as well as one Mr Sunday Zakwai and four others.
“The kidnapping gang equally killed the district head while two staff were kidnapped at Defence Estate Kabusa by the gang,” CP Igwe said.
Similarly, the CP disclosed that a gang of armed robbers and one-chance criminals who have perpetrated several one-chance attacks on unsuspecting members of the public, causing pain and injuries, have also been arrested.
He said the operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to Mabushi Divisional Headquarters, in the continued fight against criminality, arrested eight (8) notorious armed robbery suspects terrorizing FCT.
He thanked the FCT Minister for his assistance towards the success achieved so far by the FCT Police Command and pledged that the Command will continue to take the fight to criminals and in order to stamp criminality out of the FCT.
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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