Nigerian Police Force
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a kidnapped victim following a 30-minute exchange of gunfire with a gang of kidnappers in the Guzape area, as part of a broader security sweep conducted between September 15 and 18.
Commissioner of Police Mr. Ajao Adewale shared details of the operation during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, describing the rescue as a high-risk confrontation.
“The operation that led to the rescue of the victim was a life-threatening battle that involved 30 minutes of heavy gun duel between police operatives and the hoodlums,” Adewale stated.
The four-day raids began on September 15 amid an attempted abduction of two young women in Guzape, which was foiled through a rapid, coordinated effort led by Adewale, the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, the Rapid Response Squad Commander, and supporting officers.
Two vigilante members assisting in the operation were injured, and one later died at the National Hospital in Abuja.
The same gang struck again on September 17 at around 10:32 p.m. in Karu, abducting Nafiu Idris, a staffer in the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Department of Urban Affairs.
In response, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit collaborated with the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, Hunters, and vigilantes to initiate a clearance operation.
By 7:00 a.m. on September 18, the team tracked the suspects to their hideout in Zinda Forest, located behind the Nigerian Army Estate in Kurudu, near the Nasarawa State border. A ensuing gunfight saw the security forces overpower the gang, resulting in the neutralization of three criminals.
“The gang engaged our operatives in a fierce gun battle, but our team overpowered them and three of the notorious criminals were neutralised,” Adewale reported.
Further probes linked the neutralized gang leader to a string of kidnappings in areas including Karu, Guzape, Kpobi, Army Estate, Kurudu, and several sites in Nasarawa State.
The operation also prevented another attempted kidnapping of a resident in the Federal Housing Estate, Karu, on September 18.
Items recovered from the hideout included two AK-49 rifles, two magazines containing seven rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two Itel handsets, two ATM cards, two lighters, assorted charms and animal horns, and N10,000 in cash.
Adewale affirmed that the command’s anti-kidnapping and anti-banditry patrols would continue unabated in border areas and known hotspots.
“The command’s proactive anti-kidnapping and anti-banditry patrols were ongoing across border communities and identified hotspots,” he said.
In a related development, the FCT Police Anti-Narcotics Unit made significant strides against drug trafficking, arresting 11 suspects during coordinated raids on black spots across the territory. The operation yielded 68 bags of substances suspected to be cannabis and other illicit drugs.
“The arrests were critical in disrupting criminal supply chains, reduction in the rate of drug-fueled crimes, and keeping of harmful substances away from communities,” the commissioner emphasized.
