Personnel of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes, successfully executed a coordinated kidnapping rescue operation between March 6 and 8, 2026.
The operation targeted armed suspects responsible for abducting residents from Byazhin District of the FCT and surrounding areas in Niger State.
According to the FCT Police, the operation followed actionable intelligence indicating that a notorious kidnapping gang, previously engaged in criminal activities in Gauraka Forest, had fled into Gidan Dogo and Kweri Forests with abducted victims.
Acting promptly, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led a joint tactical team into the forest to locate and apprehend the suspects.
As the operatives approached the hideout of the kidnappers, the gang reportedly opened fire, leading to a prolonged gun battle lasting over one hour and thirty minutes.
The security team, leveraging superior training and tactical coordination, successfully neutralized several suspects while two identified perpetrators, Nura Sani and Abdul Bello, were apprehended.
Other members of the gang reportedly fled into the surrounding forested hills with gunshot wounds.
The FCT Police confirmed that the operation resulted in the safe recovery of twenty kidnapped victims, comprising ten males and ten females.
These victims had been abducted from Byazhin District in the FCT, as well as Gauraka and Tafa areas in Niger State.
All rescued individuals were immediately transported to medical facilities for necessary treatment and assessment, ensuring their physical and psychological well-being.
During the operation, security forces recovered critical evidence from the suspects, including one AK-47 rifle bearing breech number 90-17147, a magazine loaded with twenty rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and a locally made firearm.
The seizure of these weapons not only disrupted the gang’s operations but also highlighted the level of threat posed by armed kidnapping networks in forested regions.
In a statement issued by FCT Police Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh, the command urged members of the public, media houses, and social media users to exercise caution when reporting ongoing security operations.
She emphasized that premature or unverified dissemination of sensitive information could jeopardize the lives of victims and compromise the effectiveness of rescue missions.
Commending the courage and professionalism of the personnel involved, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, called on residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious.
He encouraged the public to promptly report suspicious movements or persons using the emergency contacts 08032003913 and 08061581938, reinforcing the partnership between law enforcement and the community in combating crime.
The list of twenty rescued victims includes Olowa Tosin, Blessing Titi, Success Anthony, Victor Anthony, Angel Anthony, Flourish Anthony, Oniwola Ganiyu, Mercy Jafia, Bashir Umar (35 years), Hannatu Yohanna, James Raphael, Danjuma Joy, Pastor Bulus Ganiyu, Abdulmumini Adamu, Abubakar Garba, Ruth Precious, Idris Ayuba, Damina Precious, Tanko Jeji, and Isah Bello.
Their rescue underscores the success of coordinated kidnapping rescue operations involving multiple security agencies.
Security analysts noted that the success of this kidnapping rescue operation highlights the importance of intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration, and rapid tactical response.
With the increasing threat of forest-based criminal activities, operations like these serve as a deterrent to kidnapping gangs and reassure residents of the government’s commitment to their safety.
In addition, the operation sent a strong message to criminal networks operating within forested regions that law enforcement agencies are prepared to act decisively.
The involvement of local vigilantes was instrumental in providing guidance through difficult terrain and ensuring that escape routes were effectively monitored, preventing the suspects from fleeing with the victims.
CP Dantawaye reaffirmed that the FCT Police Command will continue to prioritize kidnapping rescue operations, improve response strategies, and strengthen intelligence gathering to proactively tackle criminal threats.
He urged the public to maintain close communication with security agencies and assured that future operations will be conducted with the same level of professionalism and tactical efficiency.
The FCT Command also stressed that the collaboration between police, military, DSS, and vigilantes is key to safeguarding citizens against abduction and other violent crimes.
Residents were advised to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of law enforcement efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.
This successful mission is a clear example of how coordinated security responses can result in the neutralization of armed gangs, the arrest of suspects, and the safe recovery of kidnapped victims.
By combining intelligence, tactical skill, and community support, the FCT Police and its partners demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-agency kidnapping rescue operations in forested and high-risk areas.
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