The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced that it prevented a planned attack in the territory and neutralised three bandits during a gun duel.
This follows credible intelligence and a coordinated tactical operation by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Monday, the breakthrough follows recent kidnapping incidents recorded in ACO Community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari, which prompted the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate responsible.
SP Adeh said intelligence later revealed that the gang had concluded plans to launch another violent attack on a community on or before December 1, 2025, with the intention of abducting residents, demanding ransom, and inflicting further harm on the community.
“Acting swiftly on this intelligence, FCT Police operatives on 30th November 2025 at about 02:11 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, and his mobile phone, suspected to be the primary device used in coordinating the criminal operations was recovered from him.
“Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang responsible for the previous attacks and kidnappings in ACO and Dupa and Gwagwalada, as well as multiple armed robbery incidents across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali,” the statement noted.
Umar 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.
“At about 11:01 PM, the Anti-Kidnapping team, led by the OC-Anti-Kidnapping, tactically advanced into the forest, reached the gang’s meeting point, and laid a well-planned ambush. On sighting the operatives, the heavily armed bandits opened fire. The Police responded decisively, engaging the criminals in a fierce 30-minute gun duel, during which three (3) of the bandits were neutralized,” the spokesperson said.
She added that other gang members escaped with suspected gunshot wounds and highlighted the items recovered from the scene, including three AK-47 rifles and three magazines with 33 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Adeh disclosed that a joint operation involving Police operatives and the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Army, 176 Battalion, Kwali, is ongoing, with teams combing the forest and blocking all escape routes.
She further stated that medical facilities across the area have been alerted to report any individual presenting with bullet wounds to the nearest security agency or contact the Command via 08032003913 or 08061581938.
Commenting on the operation, CP Dantawaye commended the gallantry and professionalism of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and appreciated the valuable intelligence provided by members of the public.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to supply timely information.
