Police operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Command have rescued five residents abducted in the Paze community, Byazhin area of Bwari Area Council, following a coordinated clearance operation involving security forces, vigilantes and local hunters.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday night, also led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of two others, while several members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the operation was carried out after recent kidnapping incidents in the area prompted a sustained security response led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi.
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 added that two AK-47 rifles were recovered during the operation and urged hospitals and members of the public to report individuals presenting with suspicious gunshot injuries.
She 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.”
She further confirmed that the rescued victims were taken to hospital for medical attention and are expected to be reunited with their families after treatment.
Adeh said, “The rescued victims have since been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families. Meanwhile, search operations continue across the general area and adjoining communities aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling the criminal network.”
The Command commended the operatives involved in the operation and reaffirmed ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the Federal Capital Territory, as insecurity linked to armed groups continues to raise concern in parts of Abuja, particularly communities around Bwari and its environs.
