Police and local vigilantes clash with kidnappers in Abuja, two killed, five rescued

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has saved five kidnapped victims and killed two suspected kidnappers in the Byazhin area of Abuja.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, shared this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ms Adeh said the victims were rescued and the suspects killed during a strong joint rescue operation in the area.

She noted that the operation was due to recent kidnapping incidents in the Paze community. The Commissioner of Police (CP) for the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, led the operation himself.

The clearance operation involved a team from the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and the Kubwa Area Command.

According to Ms Adeh, this operation worked alongside local hunters and vigilante groups.

On Tuesday at about 9:00, the joint security team launched a thorough search and rescue operation in the Paze and Byazhin communities.

“During the operation, the team fought with suspected kidnappers, which led to the death of two suspects and the arrest of two more,” she said.

“Other gang members ran away into nearby hills with different levels of gunshot wounds.”

“During the operation, the police team also seized two AK-47 rifles with magazines.”

Ms Adeh urged healthcare workers, private and public hospitals, and the public to quickly report anyone with gunshot wounds or seeking treatment in suspicious circumstances.

She said the ongoing pressure on the criminals forced them to leave five hostages, who were rescued safely.

The rescued victims have been taken to a nearby hospital for medical care, and efforts are being made to reunite them with their families.

Ms Adeh also mentioned that search operations would keep going in the area and surrounding communities to catch the fleeing suspects and break their criminal network.

She quoted the CP as praising the bravery, strength, and professionalism shown by the operatives and the local security volunteers during the operation.

The CP repeated the command's commitment to fight kidnapping and other violent crimes in the FCT.

He urged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or to the command using its emergency numbers at 08032003913 or 07057337653.