FCT Police Rescue Five Kidnap Victims, Neutralise Two Suspects in Byazhin Operation

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have successfully rescued five kidnapped residents of Paze Community in the Byazhin area of Bwari Area Council following a coordinated security operation targeting criminal hideouts.

The victims were freed during a clearance and rescue mission conducted on June 9 by police personnel working alongside local vigilantes and hunters.

According to a statement issued on June 10 by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, the operation resulted in the death of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of two others.

Adeh explained that the operation was launched in response to a series of kidnapping incidents reported within the Paze and Byazhin communities.

She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, personally led the mission, which involved operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team, and the Kubwa Area Command, with support from local security volunteers.

The joint security team commenced an intensive search-and-rescue operation at about 9:00 p.m., combing forests and other suspected hideouts within the affected communities.

During the operation, security personnel engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle. Two suspects were neutralised, while two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman were apprehended.

Several members of the criminal gang reportedly escaped into nearby hills with gunshot wounds sustained during the exchange of fire.

Security operatives also recovered two AK-47 rifles along with loaded magazines from the suspects.

The police have appealed to public and private healthcare facilities, as well as members of the public, to promptly report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot injuries, as authorities intensify efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.

According to the command, sustained pressure from the security operation forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives, leading to the successful rescue of all five victims without harm.

The rescued individuals have since been taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment, while arrangements are being made for their reunion with family members.

Police authorities stated that search operations remain ongoing across Byazhin and surrounding communities as security agencies work to dismantle the criminal network and arrest all those involved.

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi commended the courage and professionalism displayed by officers and local security volunteers during the operation and reaffirmed the command's commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the Federal Capital Territory.

The rescue operation comes just days after armed men reportedly attacked the Byazhin area on June 5, kidnapping four residents and killing a vigilante member, a development that heightened security concerns within the community.