The Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Tuesday announced that its operatives have foiled a planned kidnapping and armed attack by suspected bandits in Byazhin Forest, a suburb of Abuja, recovering an AK-47 rifle and rounds of ammunition during the operation.
The FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, who made this disclosure on Tuesday through a press statement ,said the raid was part of ongoing efforts to curb the resurgence of banditry and kidnapping around border communities in the FCT, particularly in Bwari, Kuje, and Gwagwalada councils, where security agencies have recently intensified patrols.
According to Adeh, 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.
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“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.
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 (1) AK-47 rifle with a defaced serial number, • One (1) magazine, and • Thirty (30) rounds of live 7.6mm ammunition, ” Adeh said in the statement.
The FCT police image-maker said 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.
