Police arrest seven kidnappers, recover victim’s body

On October 19, 2026, police in the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State successfully apprehended seven suspects linked to a kidnapping syndicate. The operation, carried out in collaboration with vigilante operatives and other security agencies, resulted in the recovery of the remains of 19-year-old Miss Oluwadamilola Adedayo, who had been abducted from her home in Kuje, Abuja, on August 23 of the same year.

Miss Adedayo was among four victims, including her mother Mrs. Nancy Adedayo, her 12-year-old brother David Adedayo, and their housemaid Jennifer David. The kidnappers had initially released the mother after an hour to negotiate a ransom, while the other three were assaulted and left unconscious in Tukuba Forest. They eventually regained consciousness and made their way home.

ACP Godfrey Victor, Commander of the Special Tactical Squad, revealed that two suspects were arrested in Rijana community, Kaduna State, while five others were apprehended in Sagbon Lugbe, Abuja, through joint operations involving the police, vigilante operatives, and other security bodies. On October 19, a team led by ACP Victor Ogbiede Godfrey reached the gang's camp in Tukuba Forest and recovered Miss Adedayo's decomposing body.

During the investigations, police recovered four AK-47 rifles, one locally made revolver pistol, 63 rounds of live ammunition, a mobile phone, N400,000, and a motorcycle from the suspects. Among the arrested individuals are Ishaka Abdullahi, 27 (Langalanga); Abdullahi Dabo, 42; Abubakar Jibrin, 20 (Mai-Laya); Barahu Ibrahim, 24 (Black); Sani Mohammed, 24; Alidu Lawal, 18 (De Jaguar); and Yakubu Abubakar, 28 (Soldier).