₦airaland Forum

A joint security operation involving the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the military has rescued a kidnapped naval officer, Lt. Cynthia Akor, attached to the Defence Headquarters and two civilians abducted from Mpape, Abuja.

The victims were taken on March 21, 2025, when armed men attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting them.

The kidnappers later contacted their families, demanding ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the civilians, according to FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday.

“The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer, along with two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja, on March 21, 2025.

“At approximately 7:35 pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.

“Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians,” Adeh said.

Following a distress call, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Isyaku Sharu, coordinated a rescue operation involving the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the military, the Department of State Services, and local hunters.

“Upon receiving the distress report, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilised a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising personnel of the Nigerian military, DSS, hunters, and members of the local Hunters’ Group,” Adeh said.

She added that the search-and-rescue mission covered Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, extending into Nasarawa State.

“An intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State,” she said.

Acting on intelligence, security operatives stormed a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.

“Acting on credible intelligence, between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.

“Additionally, the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects,” Adeh stated.

She noted that the rescued individuals are receiving medical care at the Nigerian Army Clinic and are in stable condition.

“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.

“Security deployments have also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences, as members of the public are advised to go about their daily activities without any apprehension,” she added.

operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested

Iance:
Why do we hardly see the Funlani's in our Jail across the country. Despite their wickedness and atrocities

Habbeyy:
Fulani again

Dogalmighty17:
From Mpape they drove all the way to Nasarawa with kidnap victims in tow. Question here is, how did rag tag Fulani know she is a high value target that they kidnapped her? Someone must have tipped them off.

Why aren't the pictures of the Fulani displayed? Why weren't they neutralised as soon as the rescue operation was over?

The Fulani are a cancer on Nigeria.

flokii:
Bfor?.. I don't know why PBAT hasn't passed executive order making death penalty the punishment for kidnapping.
If they can declare State of Emergency in Rivers State, they should issue executive order to nip kidnapping, trauma and all sorts in the bud.

If something isn't done fast, Fulanis will become an endangered ethnic group in Nigeria before 2030. They can't withstand hostilities from over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria no matter how highly placed they think they are in Government.

Brendaniel:
That's because he is not ready to do it, and I knew he wasn't going to do it during election because he struck deal with the Fulanis just to win, you people have no idea the kind of human being you supported to become president and obviously still don't have an idea supporting him now, if any tribe touches the Fulanis, Tinubu will use army to fight you, that includes Yorubas, try it and see..

I constantly told you guys Tinubu's presidency was too costly for Nigeria, you all thought I was just hating him, enjoy his insane administration

flokii:
I beg to differ.. if you know or have heard about Fulanis well, you'd know how they behave and operate. They come into your space or community pretending to be nice and friendly, only to unleash terror when they have settled and have gained knowledge of the terrain. It's the same story in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and everywhere they go.
Security has improved significantly under PBAT and we must give him credit for that.. I doubt Atiku would have cared had it been he won, he and his co-travellers are only after the country's commonwealth.

Omoawoke:
Until they start making their judgement quick and inhumane, this won’t reduce

Why arrest and we won’t hear anything again?

What happen to fast judgement and quick public execution?

Brendaniel:
Security improved under Tinubu?

let's not argue that one, let's just stay on the topic for now, the only question I will ask you now is, why hasn't Tinubu signed executive order banning open grazing or given the military direct order to flush Fulanis out the forests instead he created a ministry for them, something even Buhari was scared of creating because of the backlash that will follow?

zero8zero:
https://punchng.com/police-military-rescue-kidnapped-dhq-officer-arrest-four-suspects-in-abuja/

zero8zero:
Meanwhile, I was banned for this, is this normal?, what was my offense here?

flokii:
PBAT didn't create a Ministry for Fulani herdsmen, he created a Ministry for Livestock development (which I feel could have been an Agency under Federal Ministry of Agric tho.).

Livestock is one big sector under the non-oil sectors.. Some countries use Livestock to create their wealth e.g. Holland and many others.
Livestock farming has a lot of benefits with lots of products including beef, milk, hides and skin, leather, cheese and other derivates from dairy products. The Fulanis just made the livestock business wear a criminal tag due to the attrocities they commit out of selfishness and self-centeredness.

Two key aspects of Agriculture.. farming and Livestock can make any economy flourish and I think that is what the President is trying to achieve.

K1 de Ultimate, Sunday Igboho and many other Yorubas, including Igbos are into the business of Livestock farming. Let noone deceive you that only Fulanis rear cattle in Nigeria. That they have chosen to be destructive and unreasonable doesn't mean the business of cattle rearing is bad. Die that thought.

Iance:
Why do we hardly see the Funlani's in our Jail across the country. Despite their wickedness and atrocities