FCT police rescue five kidnapped victims, kill two suspects in Abuja clearance operation

Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory have rescued five residents of Paze in the Byazhin community, Bwari Area Council, following a coordinated clearance operation involving security personnel, vigilantes and hunters.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday, also led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of two others, according to a statement by the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, on Wednesday.

Adeh said the rescue followed intensified efforts by security operatives after a series of kidnapping incidents in the Paze area, prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi, to personally lead the operation.

Acting on intelligence, the joint security team, which included operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team and Kubwa Area Command, launched a clearance mission across Paze and surrounding communities around 9:00 p.m. on June 9, 2026.

During the operation, security forces reportedly engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspects identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while two others were arrested.

The police said other members of the gang fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

Two AK-47 rifles with magazines were recovered during the operation.

Adeh added that the sustained pressure from the security team forced the abductors to abandon their captives, leading to the rescue of all five victims unharmed.

“The sustained pressure mounted on the criminal elements forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed,” she said.

The rescued victims have been taken to a hospital for medical attention and are expected to be reunited with their families after treatment.

The police further urged hospitals and health facilities to report any individuals presenting with gunshot injuries, noting that fleeing suspects may seek medical attention covertly.

The Command assured residents that search operations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the gang and dismantle criminal networks operating within the area.