Dare Babalola
The FCT Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping and armed attack by suspected bandits in Byazhin Forest, a suburb of Abuja. The Command recovered an AK-47 rifle and rounds of ammunition during the operation.
According to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Tuesday, the operation was launched after credible intelligence from the Force Headquarters’ Technical Intelligence Unit indicated that a notorious bandit leader, identified as Idrisa, also known as “Mai Duna,” had concluded plans to launch simultaneous attacks on selected villages around 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,” the statement read.
She narrated that at about 1:00 a.m. on October 11, the operatives reportedly intercepted two groups of armed bandits advancing towards the area, leading to a fierce gun battle that lasted about twenty minutes.
The police said the attackers were subdued and forced to retreat into the forest with gunshot wounds.
“Following the encounter, reinforcement was promptly deployed from nearby Police and Military formations, while additional police units secured the general area and blocked potential escape routes. A thorough search of the scene led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with a defaced serial number, one magazine, and 30 rounds of live 7.6mm ammunition,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, commended the operatives for their gallantry and quick response, noting that their action averted what could have been a major security breach within the capital territory.
“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 added.
