Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command have neutralized two suspected kidnappers and arrested two others in the Byazhin, Kubwa area of the capital city.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, said five kidnapped victims were also rescued during the operation.
The spokesperson said the operation was carried out on Tuesday and led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi.
The PPRO stated that while acting on recent kidnapping incidents within the Paze community in the Byazhin area, the CP personally led a “clearance operation with a team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team, IRT, and Kubwa Area Command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups”.
Adeh said the joint security team, on Tuesday at about 9:pm, carried out an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across the two communities.
The PPRO said during the operation, the team engaged the assailants in a gun duel, resulting in the killing of the two suspects and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman.
Adeh said other members of the gang fled into nearby hills with “varying degrees of bullet wounds”.
The security team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines.
She said the pressure mounted on the criminal elements by the operatives “forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed”.
“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 statement added.
The command called 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.
