Police Stop Kidnapping in Abuja, Save Five People

The police in the Federal Capital Territory have rescued five people from Paze in the Byazhin community in Bwari. This happened during a joint operation with local vigilantes and hunters on Tuesday.

Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the police command, said on Wednesday that two kidnappers were killed and two others arrested during the operation.

The statement 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."

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, led the operation. He worked with teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team, and Kubwa Area Command, along with local hunters and vigilante groups.

On June 9, 2026, around 9:00 p.m., the security team started a search and rescue operation in Paze and Byazhin communities. They encountered the kidnappers and exchanged gunfire, resulting in two kidnappers being killed and two others arrested. The arrested suspects are Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman. Other gang members ran away into the hills, some with gunshot wounds.

The police recovered two AK-47 rifles from the suspects. Adeh mentioned that some of the kidnappers escaped with injuries. She urged hospitals to report anyone coming in for treatment with gunshot wounds.

"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 pressure on the criminals made them leave behind five hostages, who were rescued unharmed. Adeh confirmed that the rescued people are getting medical care.

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

The search is still on in the area and nearby communities to catch the suspects who got away and to break up their criminal group. The police commissioner praised the courage and skill of the police and 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 said.

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