The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate accused of terrorising communities along the border between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State following a coordinated intelligence led operation.
The Force disclosed this in a video shared on its official X handle on Saturday, saying operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad carried out the operation, codenamed Operation Gbagalape, after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of suspected members of the gang, the discovery of their hideout, the rescue of victims and the recovery of exhibits linked to the group’s activities.
The Force described the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes within the FCT and surrounding communities.
Speaking in the video, the Commander of the FID Special Tactical Squad, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor, said the investigation followed a deadly attack on Badalape, a border community between the FCT and Nasarawa State, on May 16, 2026.
Victor said armed kidnappers invaded the community, abducted several residents and killed at least three people during the attack.
He disclosed that one of the victims, identified simply as Elijah, was abducted after the assailants allegedly destroyed a CCTV camera installed at his residence before breaking into the house.
According to him, Elijah was later killed by the abductors.
Victor added that a pastor abducted during the attack was also murdered, while a civil servant survived after sustaining gunshot injuries while returning home from work.
He said intelligence gathering, surveillance and digital analysis enabled operatives to identify those responsible for the attacks.
The police commander stated that he personally led the operation, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect whose confession led investigators to another key member of the syndicate receiving treatment at a hospital.
He added that coordinated operations carried out between June 24 and June 26 in Badalape, Mararaba and Abuja led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Buhari Adamu and Abubakar Saido.
Victor said further investigations took operatives to the gang’s forest hideout, where additional evidence linked to the killings was uncovered.
According to him, investigators were informed that one of the gang members accidentally shot himself in the leg while guarding kidnapped victims, prompting other members of the syndicate to allegedly kill the captives and dump their bodies in a nearby stream.
The police also disclosed that proceeds from ransom payments were allegedly used to purchase livestock.
Victor said operatives recovered 14 cows and three sheep believed to have been bought with money realised from kidnapping activities.
He assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang, adding that the suspects had been profiled and would be tracked down.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Special Tactical Squad to ensuring that those involved in violent crimes are brought to justice, stressing that there would be no hiding place for criminals.