Policemen, Soldiers rescue kidnapped Naval officer, two civilians in joint operation

In a coordinated effort, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, alongside the military, successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer, Lt. Cynthia Akor, and two civilians who were abducted in a harrowing attack in Mpape, Abuja.

The naval officer, attached to the Defence Headquarters, and the two civilians were seized on March 21, 2025, during a brutal assault on the Maman Vatsa Estate gate.

The attackers, armed and ruthless, blocked Mpape Road, opened fire on passing vehicles, and carried out the abductions with chilling precision.

The kidnappers then reached out to the families of their victims, demanding an exorbitant ransom—₦500 million for Lt. Akor and ₦200 million each for the two civilians.

The FCT Police Command, under the leadership of spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the daring rescue on Sunday, crediting the swift response and joint operation with securing the release of the hostages.

“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.

“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.

“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 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.

“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.”