The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says it has foiled an attempted large-scale attack on a community within the territory.
The development followed credible intelligence and a coordinated operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command.
The Police said the breakthrough came after recent cases of kidnapping in ACO Community, Gwagwalada, and Bwari.
The incidents prompted the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to step up efforts to identify and dismantle those behind the crimes.
Investigations later revealed that the syndicate had concluded plans to launch another attack on a community on or before December 1, 2025.
The planned attack was aimed at abducting residents for ransom and causing further fear in the area.
Acting on intelligence, operatives of the Command traced and arrested one of the key members of the gang on November 30, 2025, at about 2:11 pm.
The suspect, identified as Sani Mohammed Umar, also known as Boko, was said to have been actively involved in previous kidnappings and armed robbery incidents.
Police also recovered from him a mobile phone believed to have been used in coordinating the criminal operations.
Further investigation linked the suspect to attacks in ACO, Dupa and other areas in Gwagwalada, as well as armed robbery operations in Kuje and Kwali.
He reportedly confessed that his gang members had already assembled at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, ahead of their next planned attack.
At about 11:01 pm the same day, operatives advanced into the forest and positioned themselves for an ambush at the identified location.
The gang members, said to be heavily armed, opened fire on sighting the officers, leading to a gun duel that lasted about 30 minutes.
Three of the suspects were neutralised in the exchange of fire, while others fled with suspected bullet wounds.
Items recovered at the scene included three AK-47 rifles, three magazines and 33 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
A joint operation with personnel of the Nigerian Army, 176 Battalion Kwali, is ongoing to track fleeing suspects and secure the area.
Hospitals and clinics across the axis have been directed to report anyone presenting with gunshot wounds to security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its professionalism and thanked residents for providing timely information.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to assist security operatives with actionable intelligence.
The statement was issued by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Abuja, on December 1, 2025.
