The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping, killing three suspected bandits and recovering arms and ammunition during an operation.
According to a statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the breakthrough followed recent kidnapping incidents in ACO, Gwagwalada, and Bwari, prompting the Commissioner of Police to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify efforts against the syndicate.
Adeh said intelligence indicated the gang planned another attack on or before December 1, 2025, targeting residents for ransom. “Acting swiftly on this intelligence, FCT Police operatives on November 30, 2025, traced and arrested a key conspirator, Sani Mohammed Umar, also known as Boko. His mobile phone, believed to be used to coordinate the gang’s activities, was recovered,” she said.
Investigations confirmed Umar’s involvement in previous attacks and kidnappings across ACO, Dupa, and Gwagwalada, as well as armed robberies in Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. He revealed that other gang members had gathered at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, to commence another planned attack.
Adeh explained that at about 11:01 p.m., the Anti-Kidnapping team advanced into the forest and laid an ambush. The gang opened fire on sighting the officers, leading to a 30-minute gun duel during which three suspects were killed. Others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The police recovered three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and 33 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. A joint operation with the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operation Base, 176 Battalion, Kwali, is ongoing, with medical facilities placed on alert for anyone presenting with bullet wounds.
The Commissioner of Police commended the gallantry of the operatives and urged residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
