The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended some suspects, including a school principal, a chief security officer, and a security guard, in connection with the gruesome murder of a school nurse and a 14-month-old pupil, following a ₦3 million ransom collected under false pretence.
Saka Adewale Ajao, the Commissioner of Police, revealed the unsettling revelation during a press briefing on Friday, adding that the terrible incident took place at Clear Hope Foundation Academy in Abuja’s Dawaki neighbourhood.
The primary suspect, David Moses—a security guard stationed at the school—was apprehended and admitted to organizing the kidnapping and murder along with his accomplice, Sunday Irimiya, who is still at large.
According to CP Ajao, on July 23, 2025, both victims, 55-year-old school nurse Chinyere Anaene and child Nanenter Asher Yese, were reported as missing. On the same day, the caregiver’s husband received a call from her phone demanding a ₦250 million ransom, eventually reduced to ₦3 million.
Despite having already killed the victims, the suspects collected the ransom and deceived the families into believing the victims were still alive.
“This is a deeply disturbing case. Our investigation led to the arrest of David Moses, who confessed to the heinous crime. He implicated his accomplice, Sunday, who remains on the run,” Ajao stated.
Moses disclosed that he lured the nurse into a trap, where she was strangled by Sunday, who had been hiding in a nearby toilet. Later, under pressure from his partner, he fetched the baby, who was also killed.
“I told Sunday that the nurse alone was enough, but he insisted that the baby must also be killed so the ransom would be worth it,” Moses confessed, expressing remorse and claiming he had never committed a crime before.
Following the ransom payment, a quarrel over the proceeds caused Sunday to stab Moses and depart with the money.
Moses, injured and desperate, sought assistance and eventually confessed to the authorities after receiving medical care.
“I didn’t tell the full story at first because I feared mob action. But later, I asked to see the police so I could confess everything,” he told reporters.
Authorities have also detained the principal of Clear Hope School, two additional guards, and the chief security officer of the private security firm that employed Moses.
Zachariah Fiyinfoluwa, a representative of the security service, confessed gross negligence, stating that the organisation failed to adequately document Moses’ job or secure guarantor information.
“For us not to keep the record, I accept that it’s our fault,” he said, also admitting that supervisory checks at the school were not confirmed.
Police investigations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitive Sunday Irimiya.
The FCT Police Command has promised the public that justice will be served and asked schools and security firms to follow correct vetting and monitoring procedures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
