A joint security operation led by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian military and other security agencies, has successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer and two civilians who were abducted from Mpape, a suburb of Abuja, on March 21, 2025. The operation, which involved a swift response to a distress call, led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of ransom money believed to be from previous kidnapping incidents.
The abduction occurred at approximately 7:35 pm when heavily armed men attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate and blocked Mpape Road. The assailants, armed with high-powered weapons, opened fire on moving vehicles, creating chaos and terror in the area before abducting Lt. Cynthia Akor, a naval officer attached to the Defence Headquarters, and two civilians.
After the abduction, the kidnappers made contact with the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for Lt. Akor and ₦200 million each for the two civilians. This sparked an immediate security response, with law enforcement agencies and the military mobilizing to locate the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims.
Following the distress call about the kidnapping, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Isyaku Sharu, coordinated a comprehensive rescue operation. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local hunters. These agencies worked together in a coordinated effort to locate the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.
“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,” said SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, in a statement on Sunday.
The operation covered various areas, including Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, extending into the neighboring Nasarawa State. These areas were identified based on intelligence gathered from the crime scene and the subsequent communication between the kidnappers and the victims’ families.
Acting on credible intelligence, the security operatives launched a focused operation between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, 2025. The operation took the security forces to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, located in Nasarawa State. This led to the successful rescue of the victims, who were unharmed, and the arrest of four suspects connected to the abduction.
“The search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives traced the suspects to the Fulani resettlement, where four suspects were arrested,” Adeh explained.
In addition to the arrests, security operatives recovered ₦3.2 million from the suspects, believed to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations. This recovery highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by criminal gangs operating in the region, many of whom are involved in the illegal ransom trade.
The rescued victims, including Lt. Akor, were immediately provided with medical care at the Nigerian Army Clinic. According to the police spokesperson, the victims are in stable condition and are receiving the necessary care following their traumatic ordeal.
“The rescued individuals are receiving medical care at the Nigerian Army Clinic and are in stable condition,” Adeh confirmed. This news provided some relief to the families of the victims and the broader public, who had been following the case with concern since the kidnapping occurred.
Despite the success of the operation, Adeh noted that efforts are still ongoing to track down and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the abduction. Security forces have been deployed to reinforce security in Mpape and the surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences of such crimes.
“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. Members of the public are advised to go about their daily activities without any apprehension,” Adeh assured the public.
This statement was aimed at reassuring residents of Mpape and the broader FCT region that the security situation was being closely monitored, and steps were being taken to prevent further criminal activities.
The kidnapping of Lt. Akor and the two civilians has once again drawn attention to the rising security concerns in Abuja and surrounding areas. Kidnapping for ransom has become a significant problem in various parts of Nigeria, and the capital city has not been immune to this criminal trend. The incident on March 21 highlights the vulnerability of residents in Abuja, particularly in the more suburban areas such as Mpape, where security measures are often less visible than in the city center.
While the successful rescue operation has provided a sense of relief, the fact that armed gangs continue to operate in and around the capital city raises important questions about the overall effectiveness of security strategies in addressing this growing threat.
One aspect of the operation that has been particularly praised is the involvement of local hunters. The participation of community members in the security operation has proven to be a valuable resource in the fight against crime in Nigeria. Local hunters, who are often familiar with the terrain and the local environment, can provide critical support to law enforcement agencies in tracking down criminals and locating victims.
This collaboration between security forces and local communities has been highlighted as an important strategy in enhancing the capacity of law enforcement to combat rising crime rates, particularly in areas where traditional police methods may be limited.
