The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says it has averted a planned bandit attack on a community in the territory following an intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of a key suspect and the neutralisation of three notorious gang members.
The development comes amid rising security concerns after recent kidnapping cases in ACO Community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari.
In reaction to the surge in attacks, the FCT Commissioner of Police directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify efforts to dismantle the network believed to be behind the incidents.
According to the Command, credible intelligence later revealed that the syndicate was finalising plans to carry out another violent operation on or before December 1, 2025.
“Their plot involved invading a community, abducting residents, demanding ransom, and inflicting further harm,” the Police said.
Operatives subsequently traced and arrested one of the gang’s major collaborators, Sani Mohammed Umar, also known as Boko. He was apprehended on November 30, 2025, at about 2:11 p.m., and his mobile phone—allegedly used to coordinate the gang’s activities—was recovered.
Preliminary investigations linked him to previous attacks and kidnappings in ACO and Dupa in Gwagwalada, as well as armed robbery operations across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
He reportedly revealed that other members of the gang were waiting for him at Gada Biyu Hills in Kwali, where they had regrouped to launch their next operation.
Later that night, at about 11:01 p.m., the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by its Officer-in-Charge, advanced into the forest and ambushed the gang’s rendezvous point.
Upon sighting the operatives, the armed bandits opened fire, triggering a fierce 30-minute gun battle. Police officers returned fire and neutralised three members of the syndicate, while the rest escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
“Items recovered from the criminals include three AK-47 rifles, three magazines loaded with 33 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
“A joint operation involving police operatives and troops of the Forward Operation Base (FOB), 176 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, has since been launched.
“The teams are combing the forest and blocking escape routes in a bid to track down fleeing gang members,” the Command noted.
Police authorities added that medical facilities in the area have been directed to immediately report anyone presenting with gunshot wounds to security agencies or contact the Command via 08032003913 or 08061581938.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its professionalism and courage. He also thanked residents for providing vital intelligence and urged continued vigilance and timely sharing of security information.
