Police arrest pregnant cook, others for aiding kidnappers in FCT

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended five individuals, including a heavily pregnant woman, for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping and banditry network operating on the outskirts of Abuja. The arrests followed a clearance operation in the Byazin area, which led to the apprehension of some bandits, neutralization of others, and the rescue of victims.

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As a follow-up to that operation, upon further engagements, we stormed a suspected bandit and kidnapper’s hideout within the same area and arrested some suspects. One of the suspects, Shafiu, operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages.

The pregnant woman, identified as Hauwa Shafiu, reportedly functioned as a cook and logistics supplier for the criminal gang, providing food and supplies to both the bandits and their captives. FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, stated that Shafiu continued her role despite her pregnancy. Upon her arrest, she was taken to the hospital, where she gave birth; both mother and child are reportedly safe and receiving care.

Other arrested suspects include Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, and Shamsudeen Mustapha. Preliminary investigations suggest the group infiltrated a local community near the FCT border to gather intelligence and coordinate attacks. This strategic positioning allowed them to conduct repeated assaults on targeted individuals and locations.

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She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, even though her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include four motorcycles, 31 pieces of 500mg tramadol tablets, 10 pieces of 50mg tramadol tablets, five phones, a POS machine, cooking utensils, and N320,000 in cash. The cash is believed to be part of a N7 million ransom payment received from a recent kidnapping, according to one suspect's confession. The police are continuing their investigation into the network's operations.

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According to the confession of one of the suspects, the N320,000 was his share from a N7 million ransom paid to the kidnappers.