The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating along the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)–Nasarawa border, arresting two suspected members and recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and livestock believed to be proceeds of crime.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the breakthrough followed intelligence-led operations conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) between June 24 and 26, 2026, in Gbagalape in the FCT, Mararaba in Nasarawa State, and parts of Abuja.
The police identified the suspects as 25-year-old Buhari Adamu and 28-year-old Abubakar Saidu, alleging that they were active members of a notorious kidnapping gang linked to several violent attacks, abductions and murders along the FCT–Nasarawa corridor.
Preliminary investigations, the police said, connected the syndicate to a deadly attack on Gbagalape Community on May 16, 2026, during which several residents were abducted, while others were killed or sustained gunshot wounds. The police also alleged that some of the abducted victims were murdered after ransom demands had been made.
Following the suspects’ arrest, operatives raided the gang’s hideout in the Gbagalape Hills, where they recovered one AK-47 rifle, 22 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 14 cows and three sheep suspected to have been acquired through criminal activities.
Police said the suspects had provided useful information to investigators, while efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest other members of the syndicate who remain at large.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations against violent criminal networks across the country.
He commended the operatives of the FID-STS for their professionalism and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist the police in preventing and combating crime, according to the statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu.
