The Federal Capital Territory Police Command prevented a planned attack by a prominent kidnapping syndicate, killing three suspected bandits and recovering rifles and ammunition during the operation.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the breakthrough came after recent kidnappings in the ACO community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari, prompting the Commissioner of Police to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to step up efforts to dismantle the gang.
Adeh stated that credible intelligence suggested that the syndicate had planned another violent attack on or before December 1, 2025, with the goal of kidnapping residents for ransom.
The statement read, “Acting swiftly on this intelligence, FCT Police operatives on November 30, 2025, at about 2:11 p.m., traced and arrested one of the key conspirators, a wanted kidnapper and armed robbery suspect named Sani Mohammed Umar a.k.a. Boko. His mobile phone, suspected to be the primary device used in coordinating the criminal operations, was also recovered.
“Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang responsible for previous attacks and kidnappings in ACO, Dupa, and Gwagwalada, as well as multiple armed robbery incidents across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
“He also admitted that his gang members were waiting for him at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, where they had converged to commence their next planned community attack.”
The PPRO added, “At about 11:01 p.m., the Anti-Kidnapping team, led by the OC Anti-Kidnapping, advanced into the forest, reached the gang’s meeting point, and laid an ambush.
“On sighting the operatives, the heavily armed bandits opened fire. The police responded decisively, engaging the criminals in a 30-minute gun duel, during which three of the bandits were neutralized.”
Adeh stated that other gang members escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Items collected at the area were three AK-47 weapons, three magazines, and 33 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammo.
The police official stated that a coordinated operation with the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operation Base, 176 Battalion, Kwali, is currently underway, with personnel combing the forest and closing all escape routes.
She said that medical facilities in the vicinity have been alerted to report any patients with bullet wounds.
The Commissioner of Police praised the operatives’ bravery and advised locals to remain vigilant and keep providing timely information to security services.
The development comes just a week after an officer from the command was killed in an operation to stop an attempted kidnapping in Guto Village, a border community in the Bwari Area Council.
According to Adeh, no fewer than 30 armed men raided the village and attempted to force their way into a building.
She claimed that the attackers opened fire on security forces, resulting in a gunfight in which two suspects were killed and others fled into adjacent bushes.
Adeh claimed one police officer was shot during the confrontation and transferred to Bwari General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
