Police arrest 3 in connection with abduction, killing of 23-year-old woman

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery syndicate believed to be responsible for the abduction and tragic killing of Miss Grace Godwin Alewa, a 23-year-old woman whose lifeless body was discovered along Abubakar Street in the Alex Ekwueme District of Jabi, Abuja.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on Friday, July 11, when Grace, a petrol station attendant, boarded what she believed was a commercial vehicle while returning home from work. Unbeknownst to her, the vehicle was operated by criminals posing as public transporters.

According to a report by a security analyst, the suspects allegedly abducted Grace and robbed her of her possessions. They later contacted her family, demanding a ransom of ₦1 million for her release. Sadly, Grace was killed before the ransom could be paid, and her body was dumped by the roadside.

It remains unclear whether the ransom was paid or negotiations were still ongoing, but Grace was eventually killed and her body dumped by the roadside in Jabi. She was found the following morning at about 6:00 a.m., and though rushed to a nearby hospital by the police, she was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The case drew public outrage, particularly after misleading social media narratives suggested she had been involved in a transactional relationship, claims which were debunked by her family and colleagues who insisted she was a hardworking young woman returning from work.

“Following the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered a tactical manhunt and charged operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend criminal gangs operating “one-chance” vehicles in the capital.

“Acting on the directive, the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor  Godfrey, conducted a series of intelligence-driven raids between July 12 and 26, which culminated in the arrest of three suspects: Sunday Udma a.k.a. Akidi, 39, from Ohafia LGA, Abia State, Godwin Ez, 39, from Cross River State, Naiji Ikena, 33, from Imo State,” Makama said.

Police sources told Zagazola  that the arrests were made through “actionable reconstructive digital intelligence,” and that the suspects have made useful confessional statements linking them to the crime.

The black Mazda 323 vehicle allegedly used in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the victim has also been recovered.

“Further investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Sunday Udma, had previously been arrested on February 11, 2024, for a similar one-chance robbery case and was remanded at Keffi Correctional Facility. It remains unclear how he regained freedom and resumed criminal activities.

“The police added that the  suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations,” the report said.