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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has foiled a planned attack by a notorious kidnapping syndicate, killing three suspected bandits and recovering arms and ammunition.
FCT Police Command public relations officer Josephine Adeh said the operation was conducted in coordination with soldiers of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Army, 176 Battalion, Kwali.
According to Adeh, “The FCT Police Command has successfully averted a planned large-scale attack on a community within the Territory, following credible intelligence and a coordinated tactical operation by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.”
This breakthrough follows recent kidnapping incidents in ACO Community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, had instructed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate responsible.
Intelligence later revealed that the gang had finalised plans to launch another violent attack on or before 1 December 2025, aiming to abduct residents and demand ransom.
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Police acted swiftly on 30 November 2025, at about 2:11 p.m., tracing and arresting a key conspirator, Sani Mohammed Umar a.k.a. Boko, a wanted kidnapper and armed robbery suspect. His mobile phone, suspected to be the coordination device, was recovered.
Investigations confirmed Umar’s membership in the gang responsible for attacks and kidnappings in ACO, Dupa, and Gwagwalada, as well as several armed robberies across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Umar admitted his gang was waiting for him at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, set to launch their next attack.
At about 11:01 p.m., the Anti-Kidnapping team, led by the OC-Anti-Kidnapping, advanced into the forest and ambushed the gang at their meeting point. Upon seeing the operatives, the armed bandits opened fire, prompting a fierce 30-minute gun battle. Three bandits were neutralised, while other members escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
Weapons recovered included: Three AK-47 rifles; Three magazines with thirty-three (33) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
A joint operation by the Police and Nigerian Army is ongoing, with teams combing the forest and blocking escape routes. Medical facilities in the area have been advised to report any patients with bullet wounds to security agencies.
The FCT Commissioner of Police commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their professionalism and bravery, and thanked the public for their valuable intelligence. He urged residents to remain vigilant and supply timely information when possible.
