FCT: Kubwa kidnaps victims, others are rescued after a firefight with bandits

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with personnel from the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes have rescued 20 kidnapping victims during a coordinated security operation.

The development was made known in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, late on Saturday evening in Abuja.

The PPRO said the operation, which took place between March 6 and 7, 2026, followed credible information that suspected kidnappers fleeing security operations in Gauraka forest, Niger State, had moved to Gidan Dogo and Kweri forests in Kaduna State with their abducted victims.

Acting on intelligence, the officer in charge of the anti-kidnapping unit led a joint tactical team into the forest to track down the suspects, although the team encountered the kidnappers at their hideout, where the suspects opened fire on the officers, resulting in a firefight that lasted more than an hour and thirty minutes.

Adeh said: “The officers eventually overpowered the criminals through superior tactics and firepower. Several suspects were neutralized during the exchange, while two others identified as Nura Sani and Abdul Bello were arrested.

“Other gang members reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest and hills,” he said.

According to her, “During the operation, the security team successfully rescued 20 victims, 10 males and 10 females, who were earlier abducted from Byazhin District in the FCT and Gauraka and Tafa areas of Niger State.

“Security operatives also recovered from the suspects one AK-47 rifle with breech number 90-17147, one magazine containing 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and one locally made firearm. The rescued victims were immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment.”

He said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, commended the courage and professionalism of the officers involved in the mission.

“He urged residents of the FCT to remain calm, vigilant and safety conscious,” the PPRO added.