Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raided bandit camps in Kaduna State, arresting no fewer than four suspects linked to a kidnapping gang called “Mai One Million.”

FCT spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, who revealed this in a statement, said the bandit camps were located around the areas bordering Abuja.

She added that the police operatives had responded to intelligence reports that some bandits had left Kaduna forests and were making incursions into the FCT through Kubwa forests

She said that based on the intelligence the FCT police, collaborating with the special forces of the military Guards Brigade, Department of State Security (DSS) and hunters, stormed some identified kidnappers’ camps “at Gidan Dogo and Kweti Forest, Kaduna State, bordering FCT,” trailed and arrested four suspects.

The suspects are Yahaya Abubakar, 25, of Mpape; Mohammed Mohamed, 32, of Zuba area and an ex-convict; Umar Aliyu, 20; and Nura Abdullahi, 32, also an ex-convict at Kubwa and Zuba Hills respectively.

The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a notorious bandit syndicate known as ‘Mai One Million,’ responsible for a series of kidnappings and other heinous crimes in FCT and its environs.

The coordinated operation triggered a shootout between the bandits and the security operatives, forcing the bandits to flee to safety, and victims were rescued.

The illegally erected structures by the kidnappers in all the patrolled camps were all decimated.

Adeh said, “While the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families and loved ones, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, lauded the efforts of the security operatives in the fight against criminality in the Nation’s Capital.

“He further reiterates the command’s unflinching commitment to ensuring the security and safety of the residents of FCT.”

According to Adeh, the attention of the FCT police was first drawn to the bandits’ activities by a publication making the rounds on social media about the alleged entry of some suspected bandits into the Nigerian capital.

The viral post read: “Sir, there is a movement of bandits led by Ardo, a sub-commander of Boderi Yellow Mai ONE million. They are coming from Kweri Forest, Kagarko, Kaduna State. Their destination is Gauraka/Kubwa Hills, FCT.

“Sir, following the escape of one Inusa Lawal, male, 18 years old, from the camp (picture attached). He was one of those kidnapped in Ushafa along with others at Dawaki on 19/05/2024. He escaped from their custody today, 2/6/2024, at about 06:00 hrs.

“During interrogation, he confirmed that the bandits had TEN (10) hostages, including him, in their camp. He also said that the victims kidnapped from Dawaki and Dakwa are all in the camp.

“Intelligence from our sources confirmed that Ardo led 10 of his gang members from the camp to FCT since last night.

“Their mission in FCT is not clear. However, in view of the above, there is a need for security forces to collaborate in the operation already in place in the hills (Kubwa-Gauraka Hills) today.

“We also recommend that security agencies intensify patrols across locations in and around Bwari Area Council.

“In view of this movement, it is clear that Ardo and his gang have potential targets in Kubwa, Zuba, and Mpape General Area. Additional sources confirmed that Ardo is frustrated that the families of the victims refused to pay the ransom demanded by them. They are really in need of funds for the upcoming sallah, which is why they are now becoming more desperate.

“This is respectfully forwarded for your awareness, sir.”

According to the police spokesperson, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igwe, appreciated members of the public for their outstanding environmental alertness and admonished the general public to always give useful information to the police to aid its efforts in the fight against insecurity within the state.

“He therefore urges residents to go about their lawful business without fear from any quarters, as the command has made all necessary deployments of both material and physical assets and is working assiduously to ensure the safety of all residents and avert any intended attack within the Nation’s capital,” Adeh said.