Suspect confesses to killing caregiver, toddler after ₦3m ransom deal

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a security guard, David Moses, for the murder of a 55-year-old nurse, Mrs. Chinyere Anaene, and a 14-month-old toddler, Nanenter Asher Yese, at Clear Hope Foundation Academy in Dawaki, Abuja.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, disclosed the development on Thursday, disclosing that Moses conspired with an accomplice, identified as Sunday Irimiya (now at large), to abduct the victims for ransom.

Police arrest suspect in murder of caregiver, toddler in Abuja

According to CP Adewale, the victims were declared missing on July 23, 2025, the same day Anaene’s husband received a ₦250 million ransom demand via her phone.

Despite having already killed the victims, the suspects later reduced the ransom to ₦3 million, which was paid to them.

Following an investigation by the FCT Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Moses was arrested and confessed to the crime.

He admitted that the plan was hatched by him and Sunday, and that both victims were killed on the school premises.

●》Gruesome details of the crime

During interrogation, Moses detailed how Anaene was lured to a toilet under the pretence of checking something, where Sunday was hiding. There, she was strangled with a rope.

“I called her from her class, pretending to show her something near the toilet. As we walked, Sunday came out and strangled her,” Moses confessed.

He further said that he was reluctant to harm the child but gave in to pressure from Sunday, who argued that the ransom wouldn’t be valuable enough without the toddler.

“I told him killing the woman was enough, but he insisted. So I brought the baby, and we killed him too,” he said.

After collecting the ransom, a dispute broke out between the two men. Moses claimed Sunday stabbed him during an argument over how to share the money and fled with the cash.

“I managed to find someone to help me. I was scared and didn’t tell the full story initially, but later I asked to speak with the police,” Moses added.

He was taken to a hospital, treated for his injuries, and subsequently gave a full confession to the authorities.

Security Company, School Principal also under scrutiny

The police have also arrested the school principal, two other security guards, and the chief security officer of the private firm that deployed Moses.

Zachariah Fiyinfoluwa, a representative of the security company, admitted that proper employment documentation was not maintained for Moses, including lacking details about his guarantor.

Fiyinfoluwa acknowledged lapses in oversight, stating, “We failed to keep proper records, and for that, I accept responsibility.”

He also said the company learned about the disappearance of the victims only after the school raised the alarm and denied knowing Moses’ accomplice, Sunday.

The police commissioner said that all those found complicit in the tragedy would be held accountable and reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families.