Five residents of the Paze community in Byazhin, located within the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, have been rescued by the FCT Police Command.
The successful rescue occurred on Tuesday during a joint clearance operation involving police officers, local hunters, and vigilantes.
During the intense face-off, security forces neutralized two suspected kidnappers, apprehended two others, and recovered two AK-47 rifles along with ammunition.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, detailed the successful security raid.
The statement noted that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, personally spearheaded the tactical operation.
The statement read:
“The FCT Police Command has successfully rescued five kidnapped victims following an intensive joint rescue operation conducted in the Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory. Acting on recent kidnapping incidents within the Paze community in the Byazhin area, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, personally led a clearance operation with a team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team, and Kubwa Area Command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups.
On June 9, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the joint security team launched an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across the Paze and Byazhin communities.
During the operation, the team engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspects and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members fled into nearby hills with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.”
The police spokesperson added that the pressure applied by the joint team forced the criminals to leave their captives behind. She also called on medical facilities to remain alert for individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
The statement added:
“During the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines.
The command, therefore, calls on healthcare practitioners, private and public hospitals, and members of the public to promptly report any individual presenting with gunshot-related injuries or seeking treatment under suspicious circumstances.
The sustained pressure mounted on the criminal elements forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed,”
The command confirmed that the rescued individuals were taken to a medical facility for examination, and assured the public that a manhunt is underway to capture the remaining gang members who escaped into the hills.
The statement concluded:
“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 Commissioner of Police commended the bravery, resilience, and professionalism displayed by the operatives and supporting local security volunteers during the operation.
He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the Federal Capital Territory,”
This successful intervention comes shortly after an attack in the same Byazhin area of Kubwa on June 5, where armed men killed a local vigilante member and abducted four residents.
