The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command Anti-kidnapping Unit has neutralised seven kidnappers, nine armed robbers and arrested 10.

 The kidnappers were killed in a shootout with operatives during a raid on Sardauna Forest in the border community between Nasarawa State and the FCT.

These included the 300 suspects arrested by the Police last month for crimes, including armed robbery, cultism, vandalism of critical infrastructure, drugs peddling, one chance and gun running, among others.

Among those arrested are 59 suspects for armed robbery, 10 for kidnapping, 16 for cultism.

The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, who broke the news, said the operations led to the recovery of  weapons and illicit substances, including 18 AK-47 rifles, 23 AK-47 Magazines, two CZ scorpion A1 Rifles with Magazines, nine English pistols, and seven Pistol Magazines

Others were two Dane guns, 116 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 102 rounds of .9mm live ammunition, seven live cartridges and one expended cartridge shell, seven local pistols, four local shotguns, three axes, four cutlasses, 15 daggers, nine pairs of scissors, 31 bottles of codeine syrup.

Several small packages containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana, quantities of small glue tubes (inhaled as intoxicants), bags containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana, local bongs, N35,050 and cards of Rohypnol

Disu said: “In our sustained effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of crime and criminal elements, the FCT Police Command carried out a series of high-impact raids from January 1st to February 28th, 2025.

“These decisive actions, driven by intelligence and executed with tactical precision, led to the arrest of 300 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.’’

The Command’s tactical teams raided identified criminal hideouts, black spots and high-risk locations at Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama as well as conducted anti-kidnapping clearance at border villages and communities.

They include FCT – Kaduna border where raids were conducted at Gidan-Dogo village and Kweri Forest, FCT – Niger Forest where clearance was executed at Gauraka Forest and FCT – Nasarawa Forest where raids were launched at Sardauna forest.

“The FCT Police Command remains resolute in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety. These operations are part of a broader strategy to ensure that criminals have no hiding place within the FCT,” he said.

He commended the officers and tactical teams involved for their professionalism, bravery, and dedication to duty even as he urged residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely information and reporting suspicious activities.

Disu said: “The Command assures the public that suspects in custody will be investigated and duly prosecuted.”