The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a security guard in connection with the kidnapping and brutal murder of a 55-year-old school nurse and a toddler in her care at Clear Hope Foundation Academy, Dawaki, Abuja.
Commissioner of Police, Ajao S. Adewale, said the incident occurred on July 23, 2025, when the Command received a distress report on the disappearance of the caregiver, Mrs. Chinyere Anaene, and a one-year, two-month-old toddler, Nanenter Asher Yese.
That same day, the victim’s husband received a call from her phone with a demand for ₦250 million ransom. The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation using digital forensics, which led operatives to Yelwa and Uke villages in Nasarawa State.
On July 29, police arrested David Moses, a security guard at the school who was initially thought to be a victim. However, during interrogation, he confessed to conspiring with his friend, Sunday Irimiya — now at large — to commit the crime.
According to his statement, the suspects lured the caregiver to the school bathroom, where she was attacked and strangled. The toddler was then taken from a classroom and killed. Both bodies were placed in a sack, transported out of the school in a scavenger’s cart, and dumped in a canal.
Despite having killed the victims, the suspects continued to demand ₦3 million from the family, falsely promising their release. A disagreement over sharing the ransom allegedly led Sunday to stab David, who fled and ran into police operatives already searching the area. He later led investigators to the canal where the bodies were recovered.
Police have also arrested the school principal, two other security guards who were meant to be on duty, and the chief security officer of the private security firm that deployed them.
The Commissioner of Police urged all private security companies to properly vet their personnel through the Nigeria Police Force before deployment. He also advised schools and institutions, particularly those responsible for children and vulnerable persons, to work closely with the police in screening security staff.
The Command has intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspect and bring all those involved to justice.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.