The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested one suspect and intensified efforts to locate another in a devastating case involving the kidnapping and murder of a caregiver and a toddler.
On July 23, the Command received a distressing report about the sudden disappearance of Mrs. Chinyere Anaene, a 55-year-old nurse employed at Clear Hope Foundation Academy, Dawaki, Abuja, along with Nanenter Asher Yese, a one-year and two-month-old child under her care. During initial investigations, the caregiver’s husband received a ₦250 million ransom demand via her mobile phone.
Digital forensics led police to suspects in Yelwa and Uke, Nasarawa State, culminating in the arrest of David Moses, a security guard at the school. Originally presumed to be a victim, he later confessed to orchestrating the crime alongside his friend Sunday Irimiya, who remains at large.
According to Moses’ confession, Mrs. Anaene was lured to a bathroom where she was assaulted and strangled. He then abducted and murdered the child similarly. Their remains were concealed in a sack, transported via a scavenger’s cart, and dumped in a canal. Police have recovered the bodies from the scene.
The FCT Police Command offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, assuring the public of a relentless pursuit of justice. Officials also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity through the Command’s emergency lines:
08061581938, 08032003913.
The FCT CP AJAO S. ADEWALE Briefs Journalists On How The Killer Of Nurse, Toddler Was Arrested
In a solemn address to the media, Commissioner of Police Ajao S. Adewale (psc. mnips.) briefed the press on a devastating criminal act that claimed the lives of a caregiver and an infant in the FCT.
On July 23, 2025, the FCT Police Command received an urgent report concerning the sudden disappearance of 55-year-old school nurse, Mrs. Chinyere Anaene, and a toddler in her care, Nanenter Asher Yese, aged one year and two months, both of Clear Hope Foundation Academy, Dawaki, Abuja.
On the same day, the victim’s husband received a ransom call from the caregiver’s mobile number. The kidnappers demanded ₦250 million for their release. The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit swiftly launched an investigation, employing forensic tracking tools that led to locations in Yelwa and Uke villages, Nasarawa State.
On July 29th, operatives arrested David Moses, a school security guard initially thought to be another victim. Upon interrogation, Moses confessed to colluding with his friend Sunday Irimiya (currently at large) in executing the horrific crime. According to Moses’ confession, the two lured Mrs. Anaene into the school’s bathroom, where she was attacked and strangled. The toddler was subsequently taken from a classroom and killed in the same manner.
The corpses were concealed in a sack and transported in a scavenger’s truck before being dumped in a canal. Even after the murders, the suspects deceitfully demanded ₦3 million from the victims’ family, falsely claiming they were still alive.
A dispute over the ransom reportedly led to Sunday to stab Moses, who escaped and ran directly into police operatives in the area. Moses’ arrest led to the recovery of the victims’ remains from the canal.
Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the school principal, two additional security guards assigned to duty alongside Moses, and the Chief Security Officer of the private firm responsible for staffing the school.
“Our deepest condolences go to the families of Mrs. Anaene and Baby Nanenter,” CP Adewale stated. “We stand with you in grief and reaffirm our commitment to securing justice.”
The CP emphasised the dire need for private security firms to rigorously vet personnel through the Nigeria Police Force before deployment, especially in environments involving children and other vulnerable individuals.
The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect and hold all involved accountable.
Citizens of the FCT and surrounding communities are encouraged to stay vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or emergency lines.
