Nigerian Police Arrest Seven in Kidnapping Syndicate That Stoned Girl to Death

Nigerian police arrested seven members of a kidnapping syndicate in Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory after the gang killed a 12-year-old girl's sister by stoning and throwing her off a cliff during an August 23 abduction in Kuje, Abuja. [1]

Kidnapping Survivor Recounts Sister's Murder

A 12-year-old boy, David Adedayo, who escaped from a kidnapping gang in Kuje, Abuja, has recounted how his sister was killed in the forest after their family was abducted from their home. [1] The kidnappers attacked their home on August 23 and abducted David, his mother, Mrs. Nancy Adedayo; his sister, Damilola; and their maid, Jennifer David. [1] Nancy was, however, released an hour later to coordinate ransom payments. [1] Narrating the incident at a briefing in Abuja on Friday by the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad, which announced the arrest of seven suspected members of the syndicate, David said the ordeal began around midnight. [1] “It was about 12:30 in the morning. Then my sister was working as our house help. She woke all of us up that there are people at the gate,” he said. [1] He said the attackers took the family to the master bedroom before marching them out. [1] “They released my mom. They told her to go and pay the amount of N200m,” he said. [1] According to him, they were taken up a mountain and held for days. [1] “They continued doing that same thing for about five days. They would take us down the mountain, they would bring us back up,” he said. [1] The boy said Jennifer collapsed during the trek and was thrown into a stream. [1] “They now covered her body with leaves, thinking that she was dead, but she was not actually dead,” he said. [1] He said his sister was later killed after seizing a cutlass from one of the kidnappers. [1] “She now cut the hand of one of them. Then, from there, they got angry. They beat her. They threw rocks at her. Unfortunately, she died. They threw her off the cliff and nobody can survive that kind of fall,” he said. [1] The boy said the kidnappers then tied him to a tree and left. [1] “They tied me to a tree, saying that they want to go and buy coke, but they will soon come back. So, I managed to untie myself from the tree,” he said. [1] He said he climbed down the mountain and spent the night near a stream, adding that the next day he met a herdsman, whom he told, “Kuje, Kuje.” [1] “The man led him to hunters, who took him to a village chief. Vigilantes then took him to a hospital in Danfara, Kuje, where his uncles found him,” he said. [1] He noted that he had escaped before any ransom was collected. [1] “They even told me that if I do nonsense, they will kill me the way they killed my sister,” he said. [1]

Police Arrest Seven Suspects and Recover Body

Speaking, the commander, ACP Victor Godfrey, said he led the team and launched an intelligence-led investigation that resulted in the arrest of two suspects at Rijana Community in Kaduna State. [1] He added that five others were subsequently arrested at Sagbon Lugbe in the FCT. [1] “Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the FID-STS, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, in collaboration with vigilante operatives and other security agencies, arrested seven members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate at Rijana Community, Kaduna State, and Sagbon Lugbe, FCT, Abuja,” Godfrey said. [1] “The operation also led to the recovery of the decomposing body of their victim, Miss Oluwodamilola Adedayo, in a forest at Tukuba, Kuje, FCT.” [1] He said the family paid N16.2m for a victim’s release, but the kidnappers demanded a further N50m. [1] Godfrey also linked the syndicate to the September 24, 2026, abduction of a businessman, Mr. John Ali, in Kuje, adding that he was released after paying N3m and providing recharge cards worth N100,000. [1] He gave the names of the suspects as: Ishaka Abdullahi (aka Langalanga), 27; Abdullahi Dabo, 42; Abubakar Jibrin (aka Mai-Laya), 20; Barahu Ibrahim (aka Black), 24; Sani Mohammed, 24; Alidu Lawal (aka De Jaguar), 18; and Yakubu Abubakar (aka Soldier), 28. [1]

Enugu Police Admit Shooting Entertainer During Raid

The police in Enugu State have confirmed that operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit indeed shot a popular entertainer, Izuchukwu Nnaji, during an operation in the state. [2] The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. [2] In the Friday statement, Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, acknowledged that preliminary findings indicated that the operatives raided the Bull Hotel following a tip-off. [2] The spokesperson suggested that the operatives raided the hotel because a suspected notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, Nworie Chidera Kelvin, otherwise known as “Akidi” lodged there with his associates. [2] He claimed that “Akidi” was linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia. [2] “He (Akidi) was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. [2] “The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17 to 28. [2] “Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be ‘loud’ cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered,” he said. [2] Mr Ndukwe further claimed that, during the raid at the hotel, Mr Nnaji and another unnamed suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. [2] “While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. [2] “In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. [2] “Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” he narrated. [2] The spokesperson, however, said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, has ordered “a thorough investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Nnaji during the operation. [2] He said the commissioner has directed the assistant commissioner of police in charge of the State Intelligence Department to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws. [2]

Gunmen Attack Political Candidate's Convoy in Ebonyi

At least one person has been confirmed dead and three others injured on Thursday when gunmen attacked the convoy of a House of Assembly candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State. [3] The candidate, Rollins Offia-Nwali is seeking to represent Ezza South Constituency in the state assembly. [3] The police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. [3] Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police, said the incident happened at about 4:00 p.m. in Amaezekwe Community in Ezza South Local Government Area of the South-eastern state. [3] The police spokesperson said the state command received a distress call about the attack in the community and immediately deployed operatives to the scene. [3] “Upon arrival, the operatives found four individuals with gunshot wounds and a burnt vehicle. [3] “One of the victims was confirmed dead at the hospital, while the three others are receiving medical treatment,” he said. [3] Mr Offia-Nwali said in a statement on Thursday night that the armed hoodlums opened fire on his convoy while he was returning from Amazekewe Community. [3] “My Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt in the attack,” he said. [3] The NDC candidate thanked God that he was safe and appreciated security operatives for their professionalism and gallantry for ensuring his safety and other travellers. [3] “I have also been informed that there were casualties among those who carried out the attack. [3] “My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those affected and their families,” he said. [3] “Regardless of the circumstances, the loss of human life is deeply regrettable.” [3] Mr Offia-Nwali appealed to youths not to allow themselves to be used by individuals desperate for political power. [3] “No political ambition is worth the life of any young person, and no young person should have to lose their life in pursuit of another person’s political ambition,” he stated. [3] The politician, who is seeking to unseat Friday Ogbuewu of the ruling APC, vowed never to be intimidated out of the assembly race. [3] “As for us, we are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to serve our people, and I assure you that no amount of intimidation or violence will deter us from this course,” he said. [3]

Brief Reports of Other Global Incidents

Police are investigating a robbery outside the Rotorua Aquatic Centre. [4] A police spokesperson said a person reported being approached by two men about 6.40pm who demanded the victim’s vehicle and then fled in it. [4] An NIA court Friday allowed US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals accused in the Myanmar arms training case to remain in their home countries till Feb 24. [5] The permission came after NIA told special judge Prashant Sharma of Rouse Avenue court that it needed more time to probe the UA(P)A offences against them. [5] “Further probe is ongoing and more time is required in order to ascertain and verify the facts about the commission of offences under UA(P)A in view of import and recovery of huge quantities of drones and accessories through India,” it said. [5] VanDyke attended the court hearing Friday and sought the release of his seized personal articles. [5] The seven accused had earlier sought six weeks to meet their families and were allowed to stay abroad till Oct 23. [5] They were arrested on March 13 for allegedly training insurgent-linked groups in Myanmar. [5]

What to watch next: Enugu police have directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the shooting during the hotel raid, while the NDC candidate has vowed to continue his assembly campaign despite the convoy attack.