The Nigeria Police Force has announced the successful dismantling of a suspected kidnapping syndicate accused of carrying out violent attacks along the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa border.
In a video shared on its official social media page, the police said the operation, codenamed Operation Gbagalape, was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).
According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of key suspects, the discovery of the gang’s hideout, the rescue of victims, and the recovery of items believed to be connected to the criminal network.
The Force described the operation as a significant achievement in its ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping in the FCT-Nasarawa corridor.
Speaking in the video, the Commander of the FID-STS, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor, said the investigation began after a deadly attack on the Badalapé community on May 16, 2026.
He explained that armed kidnappers invaded the border community, abducted several residents and killed at least three people during the incident.
Victor said the attackers destroyed a CCTV camera before abducting a resident identified as Elijah, who was later killed by the gang.
He added that a pastor who was kidnapped during the attack also lost his life, while a civil servant who was attacked on his way home survived after sustaining gunshot injuries.
According to the police commander, intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and digital analysis helped investigators identify members of the criminal group.
He disclosed that security operatives arrested one suspect, whose confession led to the capture of another gang member receiving treatment at a hospital.
Further operations conducted between June 24 and June 26 in Badalapé, Mararaba and Abuja resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as Buhari Adamu and Abubakar Saido.
Investigators later traced the suspects to their forest hideout, where they uncovered additional evidence related to the killings.
Victor revealed that the suspects claimed the victims were murdered after one of the kidnappers accidentally shot himself while guarding them, triggering anger among other gang members.
The police also discovered that ransom proceeds were allegedly used to purchase livestock, leading to the recovery of 14 cows and three sheep believed to have been acquired with money from kidnapping activities.
The police said efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate, assuring Nigerians that all identified suspects would be brought to justice.
