Nigerian Police Arrest 560 in FCT Raids and Dismantle Kidnap Ring
Nigerian police arrested 560 suspects in raids across the Federal Capital Territory, dismantled a six-member kidnapping syndicate that extorted N12.8 million, and recovered arms, ammunition and drugs, while separate incidents included the lynching of two travelers in Kaduna, the arrest of 42 drug traffickers in Edo State, and the burning death of two children in Benue.
FCT Police Arrest 560 in Anti-Crime Raids
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command conducted intelligence-driven raids on criminal hotspots across the territory. [1] The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed the operations during a press briefing at the FCT Police Command Headquarters on Tuesday. [1] He stated that the raids were driven by intelligence gathering and community policing and targeted identified black spots. [1] The operations, carried out by various police divisions, resulted in the arrest of 560 suspects and the recovery of arms, ammunition and illicit drugs. [1] Recovered items included one locally fabricated pistol, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and three rounds of live 9mm ammunition. [1] Sanusi said the operations formed part of the command’s sustained efforts to ensure that criminal elements no longer find safe havens within the nation’s capital. [1] He added that the achievements reflect the firm stance of the FCT Police Command in ensuring that crime does not thrive within the Federal Capital Territory. [1] The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining its offensive against crime and urged residents to continue providing timely information to assist anti-crime operations. [1]
Kidnapping Syndicate Dismantled in Abuja
A six-member kidnapping and “one chance” robbery syndicate linked to at least five female victims since 2024 was arrested in the Federal Capital Territory. [1] Police recovered the full N8.25 million ransom paid by one victim’s family along with two operational vehicles, a cutlass, seven AirPods, jewellery suspected to have been stolen from previous victims, five mobile phones and a laptop. [1] Investigations revealed that the gang had operated along the Kubwa Expressway, Maitama Federal Housing Road and other parts of the FCT since 2024 and had extorted about N12.8 million from the victims. [1] The syndicate was linked to the abduction of a female victim in the Maitama area of Abuja. [1] The arrests formed part of the broader raids that also yielded the 560 suspects and assorted exhibits. [1]
Additional Kidnap and Drug Suspects Held Near Abuja
Four suspected kidnappers and alleged suppliers of ammunition and illicit drugs to bandits were arrested during clearance operations around Kwali, Abaji and Kuje Area Councils. [1] The operation led to the recovery of 42 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in a vehicle at Zuba Motor Park, alongside codeine syrup, suspected cannabis, tramadol, cash and other exhibits. [1] These arrests occurred separately from the main coordinated raids that produced the 560 suspects and the dismantling of the six-member syndicate. [1] Sanusi noted that the recoveries underscore the command’s focus on disrupting networks supplying criminal elements. [1]
Six Charged in Kaduna Mob Lynching of Travelers
Six suspects including Abdullahi Mukailu Kigo were arrested for the mob lynching of two travelers, Muhammadu Sani and Aliyu Mohammed, who were mistaken for kidnappers in Gidan Kalu Village, Birnin Yero, a few kilometres from Maraban Jos in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. [4] The victims, both from Umar Village in Igabi LGA, were travelling on a motorcycle to Tudun Wada, Zaria, on July 1 to visit their ailing uncle when residents became suspicious after seeing them riding a new motorcycle and raised the alarm by shouting “thieves.” [4] Despite the victims abandoning the motorcycle, fleeing in fear and explaining that they were not thieves, and although some members of the mob reportedly recognised them, they were chased, attacked and beaten to death. [4] Operatives from the Birnin Yero Division responded promptly and arrested the six suspects, who have confessed to participating in the attack and remain in police custody while efforts continue to apprehend other perpetrators. [4] The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, condemned the mob action as unlawful, barbaric and unacceptable and vowed that everyone involved, regardless of status, would be arrested and prosecuted. [4] He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands and urged the public to report suspected criminals to the nearest police station or other security agencies. [4] The incident is the second such high-profile mob killing in the Maraban Jos area within weeks. [4]
NDLEA Seizes Nearly 5 Tons of Drugs in Edo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers comprising 24 males and 18 females in Edo State during intelligence-led operations conducted across the state in June. [3] A total of 4,905.36 kg of assorted drugs was seized, including 4,169.02 kg of cannabis destroyed in plantations and 736.34 kg of drugs intercepted within the state, along with 54.2 litres of codeine syrup. [3] Three cannabis plantations measuring a combined 1.667608 hectares with an estimated yield of 4,169.02 kg were destroyed in raids at Ikao Forest in Owan East Local Government Area and Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South LGA. [3] Suspects Patrick Imoukhede and Austine Anyamone were arrested at the scenes. [3] The command secured 10 convictions during the month, with three new cases charged to court, while about 79 cases remain pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City. [3] Nineteen clients were counselled and released to their families, with seven others undergoing rehabilitation. [3] The commander noted emerging threats including cases of kidnapping and cultism in Oredo, Etsako West and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas that were often linked to drug-related activities. [3]
Woman Arrested After Setting Children Ablaze in Benue
A middle-aged woman identified as Mbayegh was arrested in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State after allegedly setting fire to a hut containing her lover’s two daughters, who died from burns. [2] The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam following a dispute in which the man, identified as Aondoyima Ierkwagh, refused to let her stay overnight. [2] The father of the deceased girls reported the case to the police, stating that a person set his house on fire and that neighbours tried to rescue the girls and rushed them to the hospital where they died while receiving treatment. [2] The spokesperson for the state command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that a suspect was arrested and that the investigation is currently ongoing. [2]
What to watch next: Police commands in the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna have stated they will continue operations to flush out criminal elements and apprehend remaining perpetrators, while the NDLEA command in Edo will sustain efforts to dismantle drug trafficking cartels.
