Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Special Tactical Squad (STS) have arrested seven suspects over the kidnapping and murder of one of their victims in the Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The STS commander, Godfrey Victor, said during a news conference on Friday in Abuja that the arrest followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olatunji Disu, to intensify efforts to reduce crime in the FCT and its environs.

Mr Victor said the arrest followed actionable intelligence, in collaboration with vigilante operatives and other security agencies, in Rijana community in Kaduna State and the Sabo Lugbe community in the FCT.

The commander said the operation also led to the recovery of the decomposing body of their victim, Oluwadamilola Adedayo, from a forest in the Tukuba community in the Kuje Area of the FCT.

He said the operation followed a report of an abduction at gunpoint in a “commando-style operation” at Plot B184, Adedayo Adeosun Street, in Kuchiyako Community in the Kuje Area Council.

Mr Victor said Ms Adedayo, her mother, Ms Nancy; her 12-year-old brother, King David; and their housemaid, Jennifer David, were abducted during the attack.

The commander said their mother was released about one hour after the abduction to coordinate ransom payment.

“The housemaid and the 12-year-old boy were severely assaulted and abandoned unconscious in a forest but later regained consciousness and found their way home.

“The family subsequently paid a ransom of N16.2 million for the release of their daughter, with an additional request for N50 million by the kidnappers,” he said.

The commander said further investigation revealed that on September 24, the same syndicate abducted John Ali, a businessman in Kuje, and collected N3 million alongside recharge cards valued at N100,000 before releasing him.

He said STS operatives commenced an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of two members of the syndicate in Rijana Community in Kaduna State following a petition to the I-G on October 15.

According to him, five additional suspects were subsequently arrested in the Sabo Lugbe area of Abuja through the joint efforts of STS operatives, vigilante groups, and other security agencies.

Mr Victor said the decomposing body of Oluwadamilola Adedayo was recovered on October 19, following an operation he led where operatives proceeded to the gang’s camp in Tukuba forest in the Kuje Area Council.

He said the investigation had revealed that the victim was murdered after resisting an attempt to rape her.

The commander said the remains had been evacuated to a hospital mortuary for preservation and possible autopsy.

He said items recovered from the suspects were one mobile phone, used for negotiation; four AK-47 rifles; one locally made revolver pistol; and 63 rounds of live ammunition.

(NAN)