Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes have rescued 20 kidnapping victims during a coordinated security operation.
These was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, late Saturday evening in Abuja.
The PPRO said the operation, which took place between March 6 and 7, 2026, followed credible information indicating that suspected kidnappers fleeing security operations in Gauraka Forest in Niger state had moved into the Gidan Dogo and Kweri Forests in Kaduna state with abducted victims.
Acting on the infomation, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led a joint tactical team into the forest to track the suspects, even as the team encountered the kidnappers at their hideout, where the suspects opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun battle that lasted over one hour and thirty minutes.
Adeh said, “The operatives eventually overpowered the criminals through superior tactics and firepower. Several suspects were neutralised during the exchange, while two others identified as Nura Sani and Abdul Bello were arrested.“Other members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest and hills,” she 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 as well as Gauraka and Tafa areas of Niger state.
Also, “Security operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle with breech number 90-17147, a magazine containing 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and a locally made firearm from the suspects. The rescued victims were immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention.”
She said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has commended the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives involved in the mission.