The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued five kidnapped residents of Paze community in Byazhin, Bwari Area Council of Abuja, following a joint security operation.
The rescue operation, carried out on Tuesday, involved police operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters. During the operation, two suspected kidnappers were killed, while two others were arrested.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said the operation was launched in response to recent kidnapping incidents in the Paze and Byazhin communities.
According to her, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, personally led the operation alongside officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team, and the Kubwa Area Command, with support from local hunters and vigilante groups.
Adeh said the security team stormed the affected communities at about 9 p.m. on June 9 and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle. Two suspects were killed during the exchange, while two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman were arrested. Other members of the gang reportedly escaped into nearby hills with gunshot wounds.
She added that two AK-47 rifles and magazines were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
“The sustained pressure mounted on the criminals forced them to abandon five hostages, who were rescued unharmed,” Adeh stated.
The police spokesperson urged hospitals and healthcare providers to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot injuries under suspicious circumstances, as efforts continue to track down the fleeing suspects.
She disclosed that the rescued victims have been taken to a hospital for medical examination and are expected to be reunited with their families soon.
Adeh further stated that security operatives have intensified search operations in the area and neighbouring communities to apprehend the remaining suspects and dismantle the kidnapping network.
The Commissioner of Police commended the courage and professionalism of the officers, hunters, and vigilante members who participated in the operation, reiterating the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in the FCT.
The rescue comes days after armed men reportedly attacked the Byazhin area of Kubwa, killing a vigilante member and abducting four residents.
Advertisement