Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested two suspected kidnappers, Japhta James, 28, and Usman Ibrahim, 30, for allegedly attempting to abduct a young woman in the Kata area via New-Bwari.
The suspects, who reside in Ijah-Gwari, Tafa, and Sabon-Gari, Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly broke into the victim’s residence armed with weapons.
According to police sources, the suspects had gained entry into the compound with the intention of kidnapping the victim’s sister when operatives from the Tafa Police Division, acting on a tip-off, quickly responded to a distress call and apprehended the suspects at the scene.
The police recovered several items from the suspects, including a locally made pistol, two knives, a walkie-talkie, two cartridges, four mobile phones, an ATM card, two electric tasers, a can of pepper spray, and some charms.
During interrogation, both suspects confessed to planning the abduction in order to demand a ransom from the victim’s family. They also claimed that the weapons and other items found in their possession were procured from an accomplice who posed as a member of the civilian Joint Task Force.
The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Monday night. He provided further details of the incident.
“On 13th June, 2025 at about 8 pm, based on a distress call received, police operatives attached to Tafa Div arrested two suspects, namely: Japhta James, 28 yrs of Ijah-Gwari, Tafa — Usman Ibrahim, 30 yrs of Sabon-Gari, Bwari area of FCT.
“The two suspects were reported to have entered the premises of a victim in Kata via New-Bwari and attempted to kidnap his sister. The Police operatives of Tafa Div were immediately contacted and rushed to the scene, which led to the arrest.
“They were arrested with a locally made pistol, two knives, a walkie-talkie, two cartridges, four handsets, one ATM card, two electric tasers, a pepper spray and some charms.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime that the two of them arranged to abduct the lady in order to request ransom, while they claimed that the items recovered were bought from one of their members under the disguise of civilian JTF.
“The two suspects are under investigation and they will soon be transferred to SCID for further investigation and prosecution,” Abiodun said.
