Police Arrest Bandits Caught Displaying AK-47 Rifles in Viral Video

Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected bandits who were prominently featured in a viral social media video brandishing AK-47 rifles while dressed in military camouflage. The footage, which spread rapidly across multiple platforms, showed the suspects carrying high-caliber weapons and walkie-talkies, triggering widespread panic and outrage among Abuja residents and security analysts.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed that the command launched an immediate investigation the moment the video began circulating online. “I ordered a comprehensive forensic analysis to trace the source of the footage and identify all individuals involved,” CP Sanusi told journalists. “I also directed my officers to ensure the arrest of everyone linked to this disturbing display of illegal firepower.”

According to the police commissioner, the operation that led to the arrests took place on May 25, 2026, at approximately 3:22 a.m. in Runji Village, Zuba, along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor. The raid was carried out by operatives of the FCT Police VCRU Sector 5 and personnel from the Zuba Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Ogu Caleb Ikechukwu. The three suspects were arrested at their hideout and have been identified as Umar Babangida, 25 years old; Adamu Yeti, 22 years old; and Yahaya Idris, 24 years old. All three are residents of Rijana, Kaduna State, a known flashpoint for banditry along the busy Abuja-Kaduna highway.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had previously possessed the AK-47 rifles seen in the viral video. They allegedly obtained the weapons from their gang leader, identified only as “Esco” – also a resident of Rijana, Kaduna State. CP Sanusi confirmed that Esco remains at large, and a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend him and other fleeing members of the criminal network. “Further investigations also led to the recovery of additional videos and photographs from the suspects’ mobile phones,” Sanusi added. “These show them dressed in military camouflage while brandishing AK-47 rifles and carrying walkie-talkies.”

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Police exhibited the following items recovered from the three suspects: one AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and several additional photographs and video clips showing the suspects in military attire displaying weapons and ammunition. The recovery of walkie-talkies in the videos has raised concerns about possible coordination with other bandit cells operating within the FCT and surrounding states.

During the same press briefing, CP Sanusi announced a related breakthrough. He disclosed that the command had arrested a wanted notorious supplier of ammunition and logistics to bandits and kidnappers. The suspect, Yau Sule, from Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, had been wanted by the FCT Police Command since 2023. He was arrested on June 2, 2026, along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. Items recovered from Yau Sule include 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). Yau Sule reportedly led operatives to the arrest of his sister, Maria Sule, who is also allegedly involved in supplying ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the region.

CP Sanusi assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the command remains committed to proactive policing and intelligence-led operations. “We will not relent until every criminal element hiding within the FCT is flushed out,” he said. “Residents should continue to report suspicious activities through our emergency lines.” The three suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations. Efforts are ongoing to track down gang leader “Esco” and other members of the cell.

The FCT Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities via the following emergency lines: 08061581938, 08032003913, and 08028940883. The command also reiterated that displaying or brandishing illegal firearms in public or on social media is a serious criminal offense punishable under Nigerian law.

Police Arrest Bandits Caught Displaying AK-47 Rifles in Viral Video

How Intelligence Tracking Helped Us Rescue Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons — Police

The Oyo State Police Command has provided fresh details on the dramatic rescue of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, following an intelligence-led operation that dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate in Ibadan.

The victims, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, were abducted in the early hours of June 3, 2026, at the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area while she was taking the children to school.

Their abduction sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and beyond, especially due to Mrs. John-Paul’s relationship with Adelabu, a prominent political figure and former governorship candidate in the state.

However, after days of intensive surveillance, intelligence gathering and technical tracking, operatives of the Oyo State Police Command successfully traced the kidnappers to a secluded hideout in the Ayegun area of Oluyole Local Government Area, where the victims were being held.

Speaking during an inspection of the scene, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, said the breakthrough was achieved through a combination of technical intelligence and coordinated field operations.

According to him, security operatives immediately launched investigations after receiving reports of the abduction and were able to track the suspects through intelligence resources.

“After the incident on June 3, we had technical intelligence and based on that, we made a follow-up, which resulted in this operation,” the police commissioner said.

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He explained that the victims were secretly moved from the city to a remote three-bedroom bungalow allegedly used by the kidnappers as a detention centre to avoid detection. The commissioner noted that the location was carefully chosen by the suspects because of its relative isolation, making it difficult for outsiders to notice the presence of the captives.

The rescue operation reached its climax on Saturday night when police operatives stormed the hideout in a carefully planned raid. During the operation, a fierce exchange of gunfire broke out between security personnel and members of the kidnapping gang.

Police said two suspected kidnappers were killed during the gun battle, while four others were arrested at the scene. Several gang members reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds and are currently being tracked by security agencies.

The operation also led to the recovery of weapons and other incriminating items believed to have been used by the suspects during their criminal activities. Among the items recovered was a pump-action shotgun and other materials linked to the gang.

Security sources said the successful raid was carried out after days of monitoring the suspects’ movements and communications, enabling operatives to pinpoint the exact location of the victims.

The police confirmed that Mrs. John-Paul and her children were rescued alive and safely reunited with family members after spending several days in captivity. Authorities said the operation was executed with extreme caution to ensure that the victims were not harmed during the confrontation with the kidnappers.

The rescue has been widely praised by residents and stakeholders, who commended security operatives for acting swiftly and professionally.

While addressing journalists at the hideout, CP Abimbola expressed concern that suspicious activities around the property allegedly went unreported despite being located within a residential environment. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that some residents had noticed unusual movements around the building but failed to notify security agencies.

He stressed that timely information from members of the public could have helped security operatives uncover the criminal hideout much earlier. The police commissioner therefore urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within their communities.

“If you see something, say something,” he said, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in the fight against crime.

The Oyo State Police Command said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the kidnapping operation and arrest all fleeing suspects. The command is also probing whether the abduction had any political undertones due to Adelabu’s public profile and political involvement in Oyo State.

However, the commissioner cautioned against speculation, noting that investigators were still examining all possible motives behind the crime. He also dismissed claims that any external group participated in the rescue operation, maintaining that the mission was executed by security operatives based on intelligence gathered during the investigation.

As the manhunt for the remaining suspects continues, authorities have assured residents that every effort is being made to bring all those involved to justice and strengthen security across the state.

How Intelligence Tracking Helped Us Rescue Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons — Police

Sharafadeen Alli Denies Adelabu Sister, Twin Sons Kidnap Allegations

IBADAN, Nigeria – Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State, has strongly denied any role in the kidnapping of Mrs. Olaide Adegoke, the younger sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

Alli described social media reports linking him to the abduction as “false, malicious, baseless, irresponsible, defamatory, and politically motivated.” The denial was contained in a statement issued by his media office and shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Mrs. Olaide Adegoke was abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m. while driving her 12-year-old twin sons to school in Ibadan. Armed gunmen reportedly intercepted her vehicle in the Elewura area of Ibadan, forced her and the children out of the car, and took them hostage. The kidnappers, who operated in a 2008 model Corolla car without a number plate, shot sporadically to scare residents away before speeding off with the victims. The incident sent shockwaves across Oyo State and the nation, with security operatives immediately swinging into action.

The victims were rescued unharmed on Saturday, June 6, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. during a coordinated operation by the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Anthony Placid, the rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations that enabled investigators to track the kidnappers’ movements. Security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, which resulted in two suspected kidnappers being fatally wounded and neutralized. Two rifles were recovered from the scene. In a dramatic turn of events, one of the kidnappers reportedly fell from the roof of the house where the victims were being held during the rescue operation. Preliminary intelligence indicates that some suspects escaped with gunshot injuries, and operations are ongoing to track and arrest all involved.

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The Adelabu family expressed deepest gratitude and appreciation to Almighty God and to all Nigerians whose prayers, support, and encouragement culminated in the successful rescue. In a statement issued by the family’s Media Aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the family said: “We are delighted to announce that the victims have been rescued safely and are in good condition.” The family also extended appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo State for his support and cooperation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, the Oyo State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) , and all security agencies involved in the operation.

In his denial statement, Senator Alli’s media office said attempts to associate the lawmaker with the incident lacked credibility and were based on unverified allegations allegedly made by a suspect under investigation. The statement noted that it was “illogical” to link the senator to criminal allegations without any evidence. “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Alli has no connection whatsoever with the said criminal incident, the individuals mentioned, or any activity related to kidnapping or violence,” the statement read. The senator’s office further argued that efforts to link campaign materials or stickers to the crime were part of a “desperate agenda” by political detractors seeking to tarnish the senator’s reputation. It also pointed out that no security agency had established any link between Alli and the kidnapping, despite claims circulating online. “We note with concern that even the report itself admitted that no security agency has established any link between Senator Alli and the alleged crime. It is therefore disturbing that faceless propagandists would deliberately weaponise unconfirmed claims to mislead the public and heat up the polity,” the statement said.

The allegations emerged against the backdrop of recent political developments in Oyo State. Senator Alli defeated Adebayo Adelabu to secure the APC governorship ticket in the recently concluded primaries. However, there remains controversy, as Adelabu has insisted that the party’s governorship candidate is yet to emerge, stating that only the APC national headquarters can make such a declaration. This political rivalry has been cited by Alli’s camp as a possible motive behind what they describe as a smear campaign aimed at damaging the senator’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The senator condemned kidnapping and all forms of criminality, reiterating his support for measures aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property across Oyo State and Nigeria. The statement urged members of the public to disregard the reports and avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining ongoing investigations or creating unnecessary political tension. It also called on security agencies to investigate the source of the allegations and ensure that those responsible for disseminating false information and engaging in political blackmail are brought to justice. Senator Alli, according to the statement, remains focused on his legislative responsibilities and his commitment to serving the people of Oyo State.

Sharafadeen Alli Denies Adelabu Sister, Twin Sons Kidnap Allegations