Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes have killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued five abducted victims during a joint operation in Abuja’s Byazhin area.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said the operation followed recent kidnapping incidents in the Paze community, with Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi personally leading the clearance mission.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Kubwa Area Command, local hunters and vigilante groups launched an intensive search operation across Paze and Byazhin on Tuesday.
During a gun battle with the suspects, two kidnappers were killed and two others arrested, while other gang members escaped into nearby hills with gunshot wounds.
Police also recovered two AK-47 rifles and magazines during the operation.
Adeh said sustained pressure from security personnel forced the kidnappers to abandon five hostages, who were rescued unharmed and taken to hospital for medical attention before being reunited with their families.
She urged hospitals and healthcare workers to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot injuries, noting that efforts were ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Abuja, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
