Police foil kidnapping attempt in Abuja, rescue five residents

The Federal Capital Territory Command has rescued five residents of Paze in the Byazhin community in the Bwari area of the nation’s capital.

The victims were rescued during a clearance operation carried out by the police in collaboration with vigilantes and hunters on Tuesday.

A statement on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that during the operation, two of the kidnappers were gunned down, while two others were arrested.

The statement read, “The FCT Police Command has successfully rescued five kidnapped victims following an intensive joint rescue operation conducted in the Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Acting on recent kidnapping incidents within the Paze community in the Byazhin area, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, personally led a clearance operation with a team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team, and Kubwa Area Command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups.

“On June 9, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the joint security team launched an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across the Paze and Byazhin communities.

“During the operation, the team engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspects and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members fled into nearby hills with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.”

The statement added that two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the suspects.

Adeh noted that some of the suspected kidnappers fled with gunshot injuries, calling on hospitals to report anyone with such wounds seeking treatment.

“During the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines. The command, therefore, calls on healthcare practitioners, private and public hospitals, and members of the public to promptly report any individual presenting with gunshot-related injuries or seeking treatment under suspicious circumstances.

“The sustained pressure mounted on the criminal elements forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed,” she stated.

The command explained that those rescued during the operation are currently receiving medical attention in the hospital while assuring that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

“The rescued victims have since been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.

“Meanwhile, search operations continue across the general area and adjoining communities, aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling the criminal network.

“The Commissioner of Police commended the bravery, resilience, and professionalism displayed by the operatives and supporting local security volunteers during the operation.

“He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.

PUNCH Metro reported on June 5 that armed men kidnapped four residents and killed a vigilante member during an attack on the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.