FCT Police foil kidnapping, armed attack in Abuja
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have thwarted a planned kidnapping and armed assault by suspected bandits in Byazhin Forest, a suburb of Abuja, recovering an AK-47 rifle and live ammunition during a late-night operation.
The operation, carried out by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, was part of intensified efforts to curb the resurgence of banditry and kidnapping across border communities in the FCT, particularly Bwari, Kuje, and Gwagwalada, where joint security patrols have recently been stepped up.
According to a statement on Tuesday by Josephine Adeh, FCT Police Public Relations Officer, the raid followed credible intelligence from the Force Headquarters’ Technical Intelligence Unit, which revealed that a notorious bandit leader, identified as Idrisa, also known as “Mai Duna,” was planning coordinated attacks on several villages near the Byazhin forest axis.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence report, on 10th October 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit deployed tactical teams to mount an ambush along the suspected routes of the criminals.
“At about 1:00 a.m. on October 11, the operatives reportedly intercepted two armed groups advancing toward their target area, leading to a fierce gun battle that lasted about twenty minutes”, the statement said.
The police said the attackers were subdued and forced to retreat into the forest with gunshot wounds.
According to the statement, additional police and military reinforcements were deployed to secure the area, block possible escape routes, and comb the forest for fleeing suspects.
“A subsequent search of the scene led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with a defaced serial number, one magazine, and thirty rounds of live 7.6mm ammunition”, it added.
The Command added that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, commended the operatives for their gallantry and quick response, describing the operation as a major success that prevented what could have been a serious security breach in the capital territory.
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“He further directed all medical facilities within the FCT and adjoining states to be on alert and report any person found with gunshot wounds to the nearest police formation immediately,” the statement noted.
The police said they have intensified joint operations with the military and local vigilante groups to dismantle criminal hideouts and strengthen surveillance in forested border areas linking Abuja with Niger State.
