The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has thwarted an attempted kidnapping and armed attack by suspected bandits in Byazhin Forest, a suburb of Abuja, recovering an AK-47 rifle and several rounds of ammunition during the operation.
According to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that a notorious bandit leader, identified as Idrisa, popularly known as “Mai Duna,” had finalized plans to launch coordinated attacks on villages around the Byazhin axis.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence report, on October 10, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit deployed tactical teams to mount an ambush along the criminals’ suspected routes,” Adeh said.
She disclosed that the operatives intercepted two groups of armed bandits at about 1:00 a.m. on October 11, resulting in a gun battle that lasted roughly twenty minutes. The criminals were overpowered and forced to flee into the forest with gunshot wounds.
“Following the encounter, reinforcement was deployed from nearby police and military formations. Additional police teams also secured the area and blocked possible escape routes,” the statement read.
“A search of the scene led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with a defaced serial number, one magazine, and thirty rounds of live 7.6mm ammunition.”
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, commended the officers for their swift response and bravery, noting that their action prevented a possible large-scale security breach.
“The Commissioner applauds the operatives for their professionalism and gallantry. He has also directed all hospitals and clinics in the FCT and neighboring states to immediately report anyone found with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station,” Adeh added.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting residents, saying joint operations with the military and local vigilante groups would continue to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts, especially in forested areas bordering Abuja and Niger State.
The success of the Byazhin operation, the statement noted, is expected to strengthen public confidence and reassure communities across the FCT of the Command’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property.
