Police rescue five kidnapped victims in Abuja, kill two kidnappers

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command operatives have successfully rescued five individuals who had been kidnapped in the Paze community, Byazhin, within the Bwari area of Abuja. The rescue operation, conducted in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, also resulted in the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of two others.

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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.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the command's spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the operation was initiated following recent kidnapping incidents in the Paze community. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, personally led the clearance operation, which involved operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team, and the Kubwa Area Command.

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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.

The joint security team engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun battle on Tuesday night. This confrontation led to the deaths of two suspects and the apprehension of Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman. Other gang members reportedly fled into nearby hills, sustaining varying degrees of bullet wounds.

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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.

During the operation, two AK-47 rifles with magazines were recovered from the suspects. The police have urged healthcare practitioners and the public to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds under suspicious circumstances. The sustained pressure from the security forces forced the remaining kidnappers to abandon their five hostages, who were rescued unharmed and are now receiving medical attention. The police assure that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle their criminal network.

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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.