Abuja Police G¥n Down 3 Bandits, Foil Major K!dnap Plot — Arms Recovered, M∆nhunt Ongoing
Abuja Police Gun Down 3 Bandits, Foil Major Kidnap Plot — Arms Recovered, Manhunt Ongoing
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has averted what could have been another devastating kidnapping attack, killing three suspected bandits during a sting operation and recovering multiple assault rifles.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 1, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, revealed that the breakthrough followed a series of kidnapping incidents across ACO community, Gwagwalada and Bwari. Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit intensified its efforts to dismantle the syndicate responsible for the terror attacks.
According to Adeh, credible intelligence confirmed that the group was planning a fresh mass abduction targeted at residents of the outskirts of Abuja on or before December 1, 2025.
A major breakthrough came on November 30, 2025, at about 2:11 p.m., when operatives traced and arrested a key member of the gang — identified as Sani Mohammed Umar, popularly known as “Boko”, a wanted kidnapper and armed robbery suspect. The police also recovered his mobile phone, believed to be the main communication device used in coordinating attacks.
Investigations linked Umar to previous kidnappings in ACO, Dupa, and Gwagwalada, as well as armed robberies across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. During interrogation, he confessed that other gang members were stationed at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, waiting for him in preparation for their next attack.
Acting on the intelligence, the Anti-Kidnapping squad moved swiftly. Late Saturday night, the team led by the Unit Commander infiltrated the forest and laid a strategic ambush.
“At about 11:01 p.m., the team reached the gang’s rendezvous point and positioned themselves. On sighting the operatives, the heavily armed bandits opened fire. Our men responded decisively, engaging them in a 30-minute gun duel during which three of the bandits were neutralised,” Adeh stated.
The remaining members of the syndicate fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered include:
Three AK-47 rifles
Three magazines
33 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition
Adeh added that the police have launched a joint operation with military personnel from the Forward Operation Base of the Nigerian Army, 176 Battalion, Kwali, combing the forest and blocking escape routes to prevent regrouping.
Medical facilities within the region have also been directed to report anyone presenting with unexplained bullet wounds.
The Commissioner of Police praised the gallantry of the operatives and urged residents to remain vigilant, stressing that timely intelligence remains vital in the fight against kidnapping and armed banditry.
