The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully foiled a planned kidnapping and armed attack in Abuja, recovering an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 30 rounds of live ammunition during a coordinated security operation in Byazhin Forest.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and protect residents across the FCT.
Adeh explained that the operation was initiated after credible intelligence was received from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters, indicating that a notorious bandit leader, identified as Idrisa, popularly known as “Mai Duna,” had concluded plans to carry out simultaneous attacks on selected villages around the Byazhin Forest area.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit deployed tactical teams on October 10, 2025, at about 9 p.m., and set up an ambush along the identified routes of the suspected assailants.
At approximately 1 a.m. on October 11, 2025, the police team sighted two groups of heavily armed bandits advancing toward the targeted communities. The officers immediately engaged them in a fierce 20-minute gun battle.
Despite stiff resistance, the operatives overpowered the attackers, forcing them to flee into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
Following the confrontation, reinforcements from nearby police and military formations were deployed to secure the area, while additional police units cordoned off possible escape routes.
A thorough search of the scene led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with a defaced serial number, a magazine, and 30 rounds of live 7.6mm ammunition.
The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the safety and security of residents and urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security authorities.
