Bandits attempt to launch attack in Abuja, meet major surprise along rail track

A planned attack by two groups of armed bandits in Abuja ended in failure on Friday night when police operatives ambushed the criminals along a rail track near Grow Home Estate in Chikakore, Byazhin area of Kubwa.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the groups, reportedly led by notorious bandit kingpin, Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna, were taken by surprise after police got wind of their plans and intercepted them near the border between the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State.

The sudden encounter forced the attackers to flee in disarray, abandoning their mission.

Police operatives successfully repelled the attempted assault and recovered an AK-47 rifle along with ammunition during the midnight operation in the outskirts of the city.

“Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.

“Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.

“A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.

“During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.

“Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes,” the report said.

The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the police has since launched further investigations, with efforts underway to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.