Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested two men suspected of attempted kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons.
The suspects, Japhta James, 28, and Usman Ibrahim, 30, were apprehended after allegedly breaking into the home of their target in Kata, via New-Bwari, where they tried to abduct the victim’s sister.
The duo reside in Ijah-Gwari, Tafa, and Sabon-Gari in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), respectively.
According to reports, officers from the Tafa Police Division responded swiftly to a tip-off on June 13, 2025, around 8 p.m., and stormed the scene, successfully arresting the suspects.
Items recovered from them include 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 admitted to plotting the abduction in order to demand a ransom. They also claimed the weapons and gadgets were purchased from an individual posing as a member of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest in a statement released Monday night.
“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.
The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue, with plans underway to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further action.
