Police bust two members of notorious kidnapping syndicate

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Nigeria Police Force said its operatives have arrested two members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate identified as Buhari Adamu and Abubakar Saidu who are linked to the deadly attack and abductions carried out on 16th May 2026 at Gbagalape Community, a border settlement between the FCT and Nasarawa State.

Force Public Relations officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu who announced this in a statement on Tuesday said the suspects as member of the syndicate abducted many residents of Gbagalape while others were killed or sustained injuries during the operation.

He added that operation also led to the murder of multiple victims after ransom demands were made.

Iniedu said the suspects who were also responsible for a series of abductions and killings along FCT–Nasarawa border communities were arrested in coordinated intelligence-led operations conducted between 24th and 26th June 2026 by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) in Gbagalape (FCT), Mararaba (Nasarawa State), and Abuja.

He added that a raid on the hideout of the gang after their arrest by police operatives led to recovery of weapons

“Preliminary investigations linked the syndicate to the deadly attack carried out on 16th May 2026 at Gbagalape Community, a border settlement between the FCT and Nasarawa State, during which several residents were abducted, while others were killed or sustained gunshot injuries. The operation also led to the murder of multiple victims after ransom demands were made.

“Following the arrests, operatives stormed the gang’s hideout at Gbagalape Hills, where one AK-47 rifle, twenty-two (22) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, fourteen (14) cows, and three (3) sheep suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities were recovered.

The Force spokesperson said the suspects have made statements to aid ongoing investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal gang.

He quoted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu as reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations against violent criminal networks across the country.

Disu also commended the operatives of the FID-STS for their professionalism and resilience and urged members of the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information capable of aiding crime prevention and detection.