Burkinabe rescued from Abuja kidnappers, five arrested

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have rescued a Burkina Faso national, Sambo Labibo, from a notorious kidnap syndicate operating within the Durumi Internally Displaced Persons Camp.

Labibo was abducted on March 14 and his captors forced him to contact an associate, demanding a ransom of N15m.

A statement on Wednesday by the FCT Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said upon receiving a distress report on Tuesday, officers from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters swiftly mobilised and launched a tactical operation to secure his release.

Adeh added that with strategic coordination and collaboration with the victim’s associate, the operatives set a trap for the kidnappers.

She noted that as the suspects arrived at the designated ransom collection point, they were swiftly apprehended before they could escape.

Adeh said, “The relentless efforts of the FCT Police Command in combating crime and ensuring the safety of all residents have once again yielded significant success. In a well-coordinated operation, police operatives from the Durumi Division have rescued Sambo Umar Labibo, a citizen of Burkina Faso, from the clutches of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating within the Durumi IDP Camp.

“On March 18, 2025, at about 3:05 PM, the Durumi Divisional Headquarters received an urgent report that Sambo Umar Labibo had been kidnapped since March 14, 2025. His abductors forced him to call a close associate, demanding a ransom of  N15m.

“Upon receiving this intelligence, police operatives swiftly mobilised and launched a meticulous operation. With strategic planning and close collaboration with the victim’s associate, the operatives tactically set a trap for the kidnappers. As the suspects arrived at the designated ransom collection point, they were swiftly apprehended before they could escape.

“The arrested suspects include: Ibrahim Umar, Hamza Buba, Muktar Mohammed, Masaud Abdullahi and Moses Idoko – the gang’s medical director, responsible for providing medical care to both suspects and victims.”

She hinted that following their arrest, the suspects led the police operatives to their hideout within the Durumi IDP Camp, where the victim was found and rescued unharmed.

Adeh said efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate.