The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday  begun a clearance operation at the Cashew Plantation/Forest in Kpaduma-Kobi village along the highbrow Asokoro-Guzape corridor, following the attempted kidnap of a couple in the area on September 15. 

According to the administration, it will deploy drones to surveil the forests and complement efforts of local hunters and conventional security personnel.

Speaking during the exercise, Secretary of Command and Control in the FCTA, Peter Olumiji, confirmed that the couple had been rescued during the incident, though a vigilance team member lost his life in the process.

He explained that the forest had long served as a transit route for kidnappers moving through Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo and Kurudu, stressing that the clearance was necessary to cut off criminal hideouts.