By Pius Awunah
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully averted a planned large-scale attack on a community within the Territory, following credible intelligence and a coordinated tactical operation by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
A statement issued by the police command’s spokesman, SP Josephine Adeh, said the breakthrough follows recent kidnapping incidents recorded in ACO Community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari, which prompted the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate responsible.
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 to abduct residents, demand ransom, and inflict further harm on the community.
“Acting swiftly on this intelligence, the FCT Police operatives on November 30, 2025 at about 02:11 PM, 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 recovered from him.
“Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang responsible for the 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.
“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 of the bandits were neutralised”,she said
According to her,while other gang members escaped with gunshot wounds,items recovered at the scene include: •Three AK-47 rifles and
three magazines with 33 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
She said 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.
The police spokesperson said 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, 08061581938.
She quoted the Commissioner of Police, FCT, as commending the gallantry and professionalism of the anti-kidnapping unit and appreciated the valuable intelligence provided by members of the public.
