Police Detail Crackdown on Deadly FCT–Nasarawa Kidnap Syndicate

The Nigeria Police Force has released details of a major operation that dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of deadly attacks along the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)–Nasarawa border. The intelligence-led operation, codenamed Operation Gbagalape, was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) and resulted in the arrest of key suspects, the rescue of victims and the recovery of incriminating evidence.

According to the Commander of the FID-STS, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor, the investigation began after a May 16, 2026 attack on Badalapé, a border community between the FCT and Nasarawa State. During the raid, the kidnappers abducted several residents, murdered a man identified as Elijah, killed a pastor who had been taken hostage, and shot a civil servant who survived the attack.

Police said intelligence gathering, surveillance and digital analysis led to the identification and arrest of two suspected gang members, Buhari Adamu and Abubakar Saido, during coordinated operations conducted between June 24 and June 26 in Badalapé, Mararaba and Abuja. Investigators also traced the gang's forest hideout, where they uncovered evidence linking the suspects to multiple killings and kidnappings.

The police further disclosed that the syndicate used ransom proceeds to purchase livestock, leading to the recovery of 14 cows and three sheep believed to have been acquired with money from kidnappings. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, assuring Nigerians that there would be no hiding place for criminals involved in violent crimes.