Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
In continuation of its anti-crime campaign, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police command has recorded a crushing blow to kidnappers and bandits kingpin in FCT. According to the police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it has rescued a kidnap victim after 30 minutes of gun duel with a group of kidnappers in the Guzape area of Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the FCT, Mr Ajao Adewale, stated this during a press conference on Friday in Abuja. He noted that the police achieved this feat when they raided part of the Guzape area between Sept. 15 and Sept. 18.
The FCT Police boss disclosed that the operation that led to the rescue of the victim was a life-threatening battle that involved 30 minutes of fire fight between police operatives and the hoodlums.
According to him, two members of the vigilante group were injured in the attack on Sept. 15 of which one of the injured later died at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The FCT Police boss also revealed that he personally led the operation to rescue two young ladies whom the attackers had also attempted to kidnap through a coordinated response operation.
This operation he further disclosed also involved
the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, the Rapid Response Squad Commander, and other officers.
His words: “On Sept. 17, at about 10:32 p.m., the same group of bandits struck again at Karu, where one Nafiu Idris, a staff of the FCTA’s Department of Urban Affairs, was abducted.
“Acting swiftly, the command Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in synergy with the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, DSS operatives, Hunters, and Vigilantes, launched a clearance operation.
“On Sept. 18, at about 7:00 a.m., the bandits’ hideout was traced to Zinda Forest, behind the Nigerian Army Estate in Kurudu, bordering Nasarawa State.
“The gang engaged our operatives in a fierce gun battle, but our team overpowered them, and three of the notorious criminals were neutralised,” he said.
Adewale also described the neutralised gang leader as a die-hard responsible for multiple kidnappings in Karu, Guzape, Kpobi, Army Estate, Kurudu, and several locations in Nasarawa State according to Police investigation.
The Police boss also said that the Police has successfully foiled the gang’s planned attempt to kidnap a resident of Federal Housing Estate, Karu, on Sept. 18.
According to Adewale, the command’s proactive anti-kidnapping and anti-banditry patrols were ongoing across border communities and identified hotspots.
He further disclosed that the items recovered from the gang were two AK-49 rifles, two magazines with seven rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and two Itel handsets.
He said other items recovered are two ATM cards, two lighters, assorted charms, and animal horns, as well as a cash sum of N10,000.
In a related development, the CP said the command’s Anti-Narcotics Unit had recorded remarkable progress in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
As a result of its efforts, the police boss noted,11 notorious drug dealers were arrested in coordinated raids across identified drug black spots in the FCT.
According to him, a total of 68 bags of substances suspected to be cannabis and other illicit drugs were recovered.
Adewale described the arrests as critical in disrupting criminal supply chains, reduction in the rate of drug-fueled crimes, and keeping of harmful substances away from communities.
The FCT Police boss also disclosed the arrest of Armed robbers (“notorious one chance syndicate”) on 30th April 2025 by the FCT Police Command.
He said that one Kelvin Okorie (M) of Lugbe reported that he boarded a vehicle to the Central Area, only to be attacked at knife-point by the driver and an accomplice. He was dispossessed of ₦80,000 cash, two mobile phones, and other valuables. His ATM card was also seized, and a total of ₦2,700,000 was withdrawn from his account through POS operators.
He further disclosed that following an intensive investigation by detectives from the Anti-One-Chance Unit “B” and the Surveillance Team, three (3) notorious suspects were arrested:
• Ahmed Mohammed (M)
• Ashafa Ali (M)
• Mohammed Lamido Jabir (M)
He added: “They have confessed to the crime, and three (3) operational vehicles linked to their operations, along with several stolen items, were recovered.
“Through coordinated anti-crime operations, the Command recovered:
• Seven (7) firearms, including a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle
• Five (5) magazines
• Twenty (20) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition
“These recoveries significantly weaken the firepower of criminals and strengthen public confidence in the capacity of the Police.
“The Command also recovered eighteen (18) stolen vehicles, including two trucks and six truck tires. Nine (9) suspects have been arrested in connection with these cases and will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.
“These arrests, rescues, and recoveries are clear evidence of our unyielding resolve to rid the Federal Capital Territory of criminal elements. We can not and will not allow the reckless acts of a few to endanger the safety, dignity, and well-being of millions of residents and visitors in the FCT.
“With the continued support of the public, we will keep building a safer Federal Capital Territory for all,” he also added.
END
