The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has foiled a planned attack by a notorious kidnapping syndicate, killing three suspected bandits and recovering arms and ammunition during an operation. According to a statement issued on Monday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the breakthrough followed recent kidnapping incidents in the ACO community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari, prompting the Commissioner of Police to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify efforts to dismantle the gang.

Adeh said credible intelligence revealed that the syndicate had planned another violent attack on or before December 1, 2025, with the intention of abducting residents for ransom. The statement added that acting swiftly on this intelligence, FCT Police operatives on November 30, 2025, at about 2:11 p.m., traced and arrested one of the key conspirators, a wanted kidnapper and armed robbery suspect named Sani Mohammed Umar a.k.a. Boko.

Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang responsible for previous attacks and kidnappings in ACO, Dupa, and Gwagwalada, as well as multiple armed robbery incidents across Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. The PPRO added that at about 11:01 p.m., the Anti-Kidnapping team, led by the OC Anti-Kidnapping, advanced into the forest, reached the gang’s meeting point, and laid an ambush. On sighting the operatives, the heavily armed bandits opened fire. The police responded decisively, engaging the criminals in a 30-minute gun duel, during which three of the bandits were neutralized.

Adeh said other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds. Identified items recovered from the scene to include three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and 33 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. The police spokesperson added that a joint operation with the Forward Operation Base of the Nigerian Army, 176 Battalion, Kwali, is ongoing, with teams combing the forest and blocking all escape routes. She explained that medical facilities in the area have been placed on alert to report anyone presenting with bullet wounds. The Commissioner of Police commended the gallantry of the operatives and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies. The development comes a week after an officer of the command died in an operation to stop an attempted kidnapping in Guto Village, a border community in Bwari Area Council.

A statement by Adeh said about 30 armed men reportedly invaded the community and attempted to force their way into a residence