By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued five kidnapped victims following a major security operation personally led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi in the Byazhin area of Abuja.
A statemebt on Wednesday by tge command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, says the operation, carried out on June 9, involved operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Kubwa Area Command, local hunters, and vigilante groups.
According to the FCT Police Command, the joint team launched a search-and-rescue mission in Paze and Byazhin communities after reports of recent kidnapping incidents in the area.
She said during the operation, security operatives engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspects and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman. Several other gang members reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Police also recovered two AK-47 rifles and magazines from the suspects.
The sustained pressure mounted by the security team forced the kidnappers to abandon five hostages, who were rescued unharmed and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
The Command said efforts are ongoing to reunite the victims with their families while security operatives continue to comb nearby communities and surrounding hills in search of fleeing suspects.
The police also urged hospitals, healthcare workers, and members of the public to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious injuries.
Commending the operatives and local security volunteers involved in the operation, CP Sanusi reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the Federal Capital Territory.
Residents were also encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines.
