Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
At least two suspected kidnappers have been killed during a gun battle with operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command in the Karshi axis of Abuja, in what authorities described as a major breakthrough against violent criminal networks operating around the nation’s capital.
The operation, which took place on May 3, targeted a suspected hideout used by members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate believed to be responsible for several abductions across communities within the FCT and neighbouring Nasarawa State.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday evening by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, police operatives acted on what she described as credible intelligence before launching a raid on the criminals’ hideout in the Karshi area, a border community linking Abuja with Nasarawa State.
Police said the suspects opened fire immediately they sighted the advancing officers, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire between both sides. During the confrontation, two members of the gang, including the alleged leader identified as Baba Ibrahim, popularly known by the alias “Tsoho,” were fatally shot.
Another suspect killed during the operation was identified as Isah Shehu, also believed to be a key member of the criminal gang. Authorities described the operation as one carried out with tactical precision aimed at dismantling the activities of kidnappers terrorising residents around the Federal Capital Territory.
The police further disclosed that while two suspects died during the exchange of fire, three others escaped from the scene with suspected gunshot wounds. Security agencies have since launched a manhunt to track and arrest the fleeing suspects, with surveillance reportedly intensified across border communities and nearby forests.
One member of the gang was arrested alive during the operation and is currently in police custody assisting investigators with ongoing inquiries into the syndicate’s activities and possible collaborators.
During a search conducted at the hideout after the gun battle, operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pistol, and 17 rounds of live ammunition. Police authorities believe the recovered weapons were used in several criminal attacks and kidnapping operations carried out within Abuja and surrounding areas.
The FCT Police Command said preliminary investigations linked the gang to a string of kidnapping incidents that have unsettled residents in communities including Gwagwalada, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, and Karshi. Investigators said at least 12 victims were believed to have been abducted by the syndicate in recent months.
According to the police statement, the criminal network allegedly consisted of several members identified as Khalid, Dan Geskiya, Mohammadu Mai Tsage, Isah Shehu, Dogo, and the late gang leader Baba Ibrahim alias “Tsoho.” Authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest all remaining members connected to the group.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained a growing security challenge in several parts of Nigeria, including areas surrounding Abuja, despite repeated security operations by the military, police, and other law enforcement agencies. Communities along the Abuja-Nasarawa border have in recent years witnessed increasing attacks by armed gangs who often target travellers, villagers, and residents for abduction.
Security analysts have repeatedly warned about the strategic use of forests and remote settlements around the FCT by criminal groups seeking to evade security patrols while launching attacks into the capital and neighbouring states. The Karshi axis, in particular, has frequently appeared in security reports due to its proximity to isolated routes and difficult terrain.
Residents in affected communities have continued to express concerns over insecurity, especially incidents involving kidnappings carried out during late-night raids or attacks on motorists. Some communities around Nyanya, Gwagwalada, and Jikwoyi have previously witnessed protests demanding stronger security presence and quicker emergency responses.
The latest operation by the FCT Police Command comes amid broader efforts by Nigerian security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven raids against criminal hideouts across the country. Authorities have increasingly relied on surveillance operations, informant networks, and inter-agency collaboration in attempts to curb organised kidnapping rings.
Police authorities praised the officers involved in the Karshi operation, describing their actions as courageous and professional under intense gunfire. The command also assured residents that efforts were ongoing to restore confidence and strengthen security within the Federal Capital Territory and adjoining communities.
SP Josephine Adeh urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist in identifying criminal hideouts or suspicious movements. She stressed that public cooperation remained vital in ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crimes.
The police spokesperson also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report persons seeking treatment for gunshot injuries, noting that some of the fleeing gang members were believed to have escaped with severe wounds sustained during the shootout.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the suspect arrested during the raid, nor have they provided details regarding possible charges. However, police said investigations were continuing and additional arrests were expected in the coming days.
The latest development is likely to provide some relief for residents in parts of Abuja who have faced growing fears over insecurity and recurring reports of abductions. Nonetheless, security experts caution that sustained operations and stronger intelligence gathering will be necessary to permanently dismantle armed kidnapping networks operating around the Federal Capital Territory.
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