Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ABUJA, Nigeria – Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad have arrested seven suspected bandits in a coordinated intelligence-led operation across the Federal Capital Territory, recovering a cache of weapons including AK-47 rifles and ammunition, security sources confirmed on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The breakthrough came after weeks of surveillance targeting a network of criminals responsible for a wave of kidnappings, armed robberies, and cattle rustling that have terrorised communities in the Kubwa, Bwari, and Gwagwalada axes of the capital. The suspects, whose identities are being withheld pending further investigation, were apprehended in a series of midnight raids at various hideouts.
Items recovered from the suspects included four AK-47 rifles, two locally fabricated pistols, 150 rounds of live ammunition, mobile phones, and cash suspected to be proceeds of ransom payments. The tactical squad also impounded two operational motorcycles used by the gang to navigate the rugged terrain surrounding their hideouts.
The Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad, a specialised unit under the Inspector‑General of Police, focuses on intelligence gathering and targeted strikes against high‑profile criminal networks. The unit operates independently of conventional police divisions and often coordinates with other security agencies to dismantle organised crime syndicates.
The operation follows similar successful interventions in recent weeks. On June 6, 2026, the FCT Police Command arrested three suspected bandits who had appeared in a viral social media video brandishing AK‑47 rifles in military camouflage. That operation, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, recovered an AK‑47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, eight mobile phones, and incriminating video footage from the suspects. The same command also arrested a wanted ammunition supplier and seven other suspects in separate operations across Abuja and neighbouring states.
The latest arrests have been praised by residents of affected communities, who have endured repeated attacks despite repeated assurances from authorities. “We can finally sleep with our eyes half closed,” said a community leader in the Byazhin area, speaking on condition of anonymity. “These bandits have been terrorising us for months.”
The FCT Police Command has reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led policing, promising that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
The success of the Special Tactical Squad adds to a growing list of security breakthroughs across the North‑Central region. In April 2026, the squad arrested four armed banditry suspects in Kaduna State, recovering four AK‑47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, and over 100 rounds of ammunition. In March, the squad apprehended a 25‑year‑old suspect in Apo, Abuja, who confessed to providing logistical support to bandit groups operating in Plateau State.
As the seven suspects remain in custody, security sources say interrogations are ongoing and may lead to further arrests. The Nigerian Police Force has demonstrated that its targeted approach can yield results without resorting to indiscriminate force. For residents of Abuja’s vulnerable satellite towns, that is a welcome development.
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