Security forces have arrested a man identified as one of the major figures behind several kidnapping operations in Abuja and neighbouring Niger State. The suspect, Y’au Ibrahim Dauda, widely known as Gwandara 01, was picked up by operatives of the Scorpion Squad around 5:40 p.m. on Thursday in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Officials described him as a “notorious kidnapper and key logistics supplier” to armed criminal groups operating in the region.
Sources familiar with the arrest said Dauda had been under surveillance for months following intelligence reports linking him to multiple cases of kidnapping in the FCT, especially in communities under Bwari Area Council. His name reportedly appeared on security watchlists due to his alleged role in organising logistics, providing information, and coordinating the movement of kidnap gangs who have terrorised rural and suburban communities.
Investigations by security operatives also linked Dauda to several abductions around the Garam area of Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State. Garam borders Bwari and has, in recent years, become a major route for bandits who move between Niger State and the FCT.
Sources said Dauda was connected to the kidnapping of a pastor in 2024 at the El-Rufai Estate near the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, an incident that caused panic among residents and sparked renewed calls for improved security in the area.
For months, residents of Bwari, Kubwa, and nearby communities have repeatedly raised alarm about the growing number of kidnapping cases, many of which involve night raids on homes and the abduction of entire families. Security analysts have warned that Bwari, because of its hilly and forested terrain, has become a hotspot for criminal groups using the bushes around Niger State as safe havens.
Security officials said Dauda was arrested after operatives received what they described as “actionable intelligence,” meaning information considered reliable and timely enough to guide an operation. Although details of the operation were not made public, insiders said the Scorpion Squad tracked the suspect’s movements and moved in swiftly to prevent him from escaping.
“He had been on the wanted list for a while,” a security source said. “Once we confirmed his location, the team moved quickly. He is believed to be one of the major suppliers of materials and support used by kidnapping gangs operating in Bwari and neighbouring areas.”
Authorities did not immediately reveal what items Dauda allegedly supplied to criminals, but logistics support for kidnapping gangs often includes fuel, food, SIM cards, ammunition, and information about security patrols.
Security agencies say Dauda’s arrest is a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks around Abuja. According to security sources, the suspect reportedly belongs to a wider syndicate with members still operating in the forests between Bwari, Kagarko, Tafa, and parts of Kaduna State.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing gang members and recover their weapons,” one source said. “This arrest has opened new leads, and more operations will follow.”
Residents of Bwari have welcomed the news of the arrest, with some describing it as a relief after months of fear. Community leaders say that many families have left the area because of repeated kidnappings, while others have had to contribute huge sums of money to secure the release of abducted relatives.
In the past four years, the FCT has seen a rise in kidnapping cases, especially in rural communities far from the city centre. Areas such as Bwari, Kuje, Kwali, and parts of Gwagwalada have been targeted frequently. Criminal gangs often take advantage of the large forests and the proximity to boundary states like Niger and Kaduna, where they hide victims while demanding ransom.
Bwari, once known as a quiet council area home to the Nigerian Law School and several government institutions, has become one of the most affected parts of Abuja. In early 2024, the killing of a young girl during a kidnapping incident in Bwari drew national outrage and pushed security agencies to increase patrols and launch more aggressive operations.
Niger State, especially the Tafa and Suleja areas, has also experienced repeated attacks. Criminal groups in these states often work together, moving across borders to avoid security operatives.
The FCT Administration and security agencies have repeatedly said they are working to strengthen security around border communities and improve intelligence gathering. Recent operations in Bwari and Niger State have led to the arrest of several suspects, though many residents still fear that kidnapping gangs remain active.
Authorities say Dauda will undergo further interrogation, and more arrests are expected in the coming days. Security forces hope the operation will disrupt the activities of kidnapping gangs and reduce attacks during the coming weeks.
