Security operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have rescued 20 kidnapped victims following a joint operation involving the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes.
The coordinated search-and-rescue mission, carried out between March 6 and March 7, 2026, targeted suspected kidnappers who had reportedly fled from security operations in Gauraka Forest in Niger State into Gidan Dogo and Kweri forests in Kaduna State.
According to the FCT Police Command, the operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed that the suspects had crossed into the forest areas with several kidnapped victims.
Acting on the intelligence, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led the combined tactical team into the forest to track down the suspected criminals.
Upon approaching the kidnappers’ hideout, the suspects reportedly opened fire on the operatives, leading to an intense gun battle that lasted for more than one hour and thirty minutes.
The police said the operatives eventually subdued the criminals through superior tactics and firepower, neutralising several suspects during the exchange.
Two suspects, identified as Nura Sani and Abdul Bello, were arrested, while other members of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest and hills.
The operation resulted in the rescue of twenty victims, comprising ten males and ten females, who were earlier abducted from the Byazhin District of the FCT, as well as the Gauraka and Tafa areas of Niger State.
Security operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle with breech number 90-17147, one magazine loaded with 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and one locally made firearm from the suspects.
The rescued victims were immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, the command appealed to members of the public and the media to exercise caution when reporting sensitive security incidents.
She warned that premature or unverified dissemination of information about kidnappings or ongoing rescue operations could endanger victims and compromise the safety of security personnel involved in such missions.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the operatives who participated in the operation.
He also urged residents of the FCT to remain calm, vigilant, and security conscious, while encouraging them to report suspicious movements or individuals to security authorities.
Residents were advised to contact the command through the emergency numbers 08032003913 and 08061581938.
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