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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.

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Stidents of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, on Tuesday shut down the campus and blocked the Minna-Bida Road following the alleged killing of a student by suspected robbers and renewed attacks on off-campus residents.

The protest disrupted academic activities, with students barricading the university’s main gate and preventing staff, including principal officers, lecturers and other workers, from gaining access to the institution.

Sources said the demonstration was triggered by the alleged killing of a student during a robbery attack three days ago, while another attack on Monday night reportedly left several students injured.

The students accused the authorities of failing to address the worsening insecurity around off-campus hostels despite collecting a N10,000 security levy from students every academic session.

The protest also stalled the university’s scheduled computer-based aptitude test for 100- and 300-level students as no academic activity took place.

When contacted, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Lydia Legbo, said the management was already engaging relevant stakeholders to restore peace and improve security in the affected student communities.

She said the university was working with the concerned stakeholders to ensure normalcy returned and that measures were being put in place to address the security challenges around the off-campus areas.

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The Nigerian Army has confirmed the safe and successful rescue of ten National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The rescue was confirmed in a statement on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to him, the Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.

The spokesperson, however, disclosed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the exchange of fire with the terrorists.

As earlier reported by Naija News, armed men invaded the school while the students were writing exams and abducted some of the students.

However, the Army confirmed that troops, in conjunction with other security operatives, engaged the abductors in a gun fight, leading to the rescue of some of the victims.

The statement by Goni added that efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims.

Below is the full statement.

TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI RESCUE ABDUCTED NECO CANDIDATES IN LASSA, INTENSIFY SEARCH FOR REMAINING VICTIMS

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully rescued ten National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack, which occured at about 0900 hours (9:00 a.m.) on Monday, 29 June 2026, targeted the Technical Secondary School while the students were writing exams. Immediately upon reciept of the incident, Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircrafts from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.

“The troops, with support from the air platforms overhead providing guidance, made contact around DAGGU and after the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of ten victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice. During the contact, troops out maneuvered the fleeing terrorists inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape.

“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists. Their courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment exemplify the collective resolve of security forces and local volunteers who continue to risk their lives daily to protect innocent citizens and restore peace across the North East.

“In collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, troops have intensified operations and sustained pressure on the terrorist elements responsible for the attack. Security measures across the affected area have also been reinforced to protect vulnerable communities, safeguard schools and prevent any recurrence. The incident further underscores the desperation of terrorist groups who, faced with sustained pressure from ongoing military operations, have resorted to attacking soft targets and vulnerable members of society in a futile attempt to sustain their campaign of terror. However, such cowardly acts will neither deter OPHK’s resolve nor diminish its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mandate to protect civilians, safeguard critical national infrastructure, and create a secure environment for educational activities and other essential services to thrive. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to facilitate prompt operational response. The public is also urged to disregard unverified reports and misinformation relating to this incident and rely only on updates issued through official channels, as ongoing operations may necessitate further verified updates.”