Police detail crackdown on deadly FCT-Nasarawa kidnap syndicate

The Nigeria Police Force has released a video highlighting the dismantling of a suspected kidnapping syndicate that had allegedly terrorised communities along the Federal Capital Territory–Nasarawa axis.

In a post alongside a video shared on its official X handle on Saturday, the Force said operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad tracked down the criminal network through an operation codenamed Operation Gbagalape.

According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of suspected members of the syndicate, the discovery of their hideout, the rescue of victims and the recovery of evidence linked to their activities.

The Force described the operation as a major breakthrough against kidnapping in the area.

Speaking in the video, the Commander of the FID-STS, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor, said the operation followed a deadly attack on the Badalapé community on May 16, 2026.

According to him, armed kidnappers invaded the border community, abducted several residents and killed at least three people during the attack.

“I am Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Obeide Victor, Commander, STS FID Abuja. This is a case of banditry and kidnapping,” he said.

Giving an account of the incident, Victor said, “On the 16th of May 2026, in the community of Badalapé, a border community that borders Nasarawa and the FCT, a group of five kidnappers went to houses.”

He explained that the gang vandalised a CCTV camera at one residence before abducting a resident identified as Elijah.

“They broke into the house, damaged the front camera and abducted one Elijah. Elijah was abducted… and it is interesting to know that that person never made it back alive again. So he was murdered,” he said.

The ACP added that the gang also abducted a pastor, who was later killed, while another civil servant survived after being shot.

“They kidnapped a pastor… the pastor was kidnapped and also he was murdered. One civil servant was equally picked by the kidnappers when he was returning from work. He was shot at, but thank God he survived,” Victor said.

According to him, intelligence gathering, area surveillance and digital analysis enabled operatives to identify members of the gang.

“So we conducted our intelligence, carried out area surveillance and digital analysis, and we were able to identify those responsible.

“I personally led the operation and one of them was arrested. He gave useful information which led us to another key member who was receiving treatment at a district hospital,” he said.

Victor disclosed that coordinated operations carried out between June 24 and June 26 across Badalapé, Mararaba and Abuja resulted in the arrest of two suspected members of the syndicate, Buhari Adamu and Abubakar Saido.

He said further investigations led operatives to the gang’s forest hideout, where they uncovered more evidence about the killings.

“We also wanted to know why they killed those victims. We were told that one of the suspects accidentally shot himself in the leg while guarding the captives. Angered by that incident, the other members killed all the victims and threw their bodies into a nearby stream,” he said.

The police commander also revealed that investigators traced proceeds of the kidnappings to livestock purchases.

“What they do with the proceeds of this crime is buy cows and sheep. So far, we have recovered 14 cows and three sheep,” he said.

While noting that efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the gang were ongoing, Victor assured Nigerians that the police had profiled the suspects and remained determined to bring them to justice.

We have profiled them, we know them and we know how to get them as soon as possible

“There is no hiding place for criminals. Crime does not pay. STS will fetch you out,” he said