Police rescue five kidnapped victims in Abuja, kill kidnappers

Police operatives from the Federal Capital Territory Command have 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, said that during the operation, two of the kidnappers were gunned down, while two others were arrested. She said,”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, CP 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 bullet wounds.” Adeh said two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the suspects. Related News Police, others repel Zamfara bandit attack in two-hour gunfight Oyo demolishes kidnappers’ hideout after rescue of Adelabu’s sister, nephews Police foil gun-running operation in Delta, arrest four She said some of the suspected kidnappers fled with gunshot injuries, calling on hospitals to report anyone with such wounds seeking treatment. Adeh said, “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 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.” Adeh said those rescued during the operation are currently receiving medical attention in the hospital, while assuring that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects. She said, “The rescued victims have since been