Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Security operatives in Nigeria have rescued 20 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation in forest hideouts in Kaduna State, following a gun battle with suspected bandits that lasted more than an hour. The victims, abducted from communities in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring Niger State, were freed during the joint mission carried out between March 6 and March 7, 2026.
The rescue operation took place in the Gidan Dogo and Kweri forests, areas long suspected to serve as hideouts for kidnapping gangs operating across northern Nigeria. The operation was conducted by a joint tactical team comprising the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, operatives of the Department of State Services, and members of local vigilante groups familiar with the terrain.
According to police authorities, the operation was triggered by intelligence reports indicating that a group of kidnappers fleeing earlier security operations in the Gauraka forest area of Niger State had crossed into the Kaduna forests with several captives. Security agencies quickly coordinated a pursuit operation aimed at intercepting the suspects before they could relocate deeper into remote forest areas.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh confirmed that the tactical mission was led by the officer in charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command. Acting on the intelligence received, the security team tracked the suspected kidnappers to a hideout within the forest where the abducted victims were believed to be held.
As the security operatives advanced toward the suspected camp, they reportedly came under heavy gunfire from the kidnappers. The attackers opened fire in an apparent attempt to repel the approaching security forces, triggering a fierce gun battle between both sides.
The exchange of gunfire lasted for approximately one hour and thirty minutes, according to police officials involved in the operation. Security operatives eventually overpowered the kidnappers through coordinated tactical maneuvers and superior firepower, forcing the suspects to abandon their positions and attempt to escape into the surrounding forest.
During the confrontation, several members of the kidnapping gang were killed. Authorities did not immediately release the exact number of suspects who died during the operation, but confirmed that at least two individuals believed to be members of the kidnapping network were captured alive.
The arrested suspects were identified as Nura Sani and Abdul Bello. Both individuals are currently in custody and are expected to face further investigation as security agencies work to dismantle the wider kidnapping network believed to be operating across the region.
Police officials stated that other members of the gang managed to escape during the operation, although they are believed to have fled with gunshot wounds. Security forces have indicated that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects who escaped into the surrounding forests and hills.
The operation resulted in the successful rescue of twenty kidnapped victims who had been held by the suspects. The rescued group consisted of ten males and ten females. According to the police, the victims had been abducted from multiple locations, including the Byazhin District of the Federal Capital Territory and the Gauraka and Tafa areas of Niger State.
Authorities say the victims had likely been moved between forest locations by the kidnappers in an attempt to evade ongoing security operations across the region. The forests of Kaduna, Niger, and neighbouring states have in recent years become known as strategic hideouts used by armed gangs involved in kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities.
Following their rescue, the victims were immediately evacuated from the forest and transported to medical facilities where they received medical attention and evaluation. Officials said the rescued individuals were undergoing health checks and psychological support following the ordeal of captivity.
During the operation, security forces also recovered weapons believed to have been used by the kidnappers. Among the items seized were an AK-47 rifle bearing the serial number 90-17147, a magazine loaded with twenty rounds of 7.62 millimetre live ammunition, and a locally manufactured firearm.
Authorities believe the recovered weapons were part of the gang’s operational arsenal used to carry out abductions and protect their hideouts in the forest. The firearms will undergo further forensic analysis as part of the investigation.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command used the opportunity to caution media organizations and social media users against spreading unverified or premature information regarding kidnapping incidents or ongoing rescue operations. Officials warned that inaccurate reporting could potentially compromise sensitive operations and place both victims and security personnel at risk.
Police spokesperson Adeh stressed the importance of responsible reporting during security operations, noting that misinformation can interfere with tactical strategies and undermine rescue efforts.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Miller Dantawaye, commended the security personnel involved in the operation for their professionalism, bravery, and coordinated response. He praised the collaboration between the police, the military, intelligence agencies, and local vigilante groups that made the rescue mission possible.
Dantawaye also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding communities to remain vigilant and maintain close cooperation with security agencies. He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities or individuals to the police using the emergency contact numbers provided by the command.
The successful rescue highlights the growing reliance on joint security operations in Nigeria’s efforts to combat kidnapping networks that operate across state borders. Criminal groups often move victims through forests spanning several states, making coordinated inter-agency operations essential for effective response.
Stone Reporters note that the forests stretching across Kaduna, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory have increasingly been identified as operational zones for kidnapping gangs in recent years. Security experts believe sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated military-police operations remain critical to weakening these networks and improving safety for communities across the region.
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