By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has neutralised two suspected bandits and rescued five kidnap victims during a joint security operation in Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters, stating that he personally led the operation.
According to the police chief, the operation was launched following the abduction of five residents of Paze community in Byazhin Ward last week. The victims, including a pastor, were kidnapped during an attack on the community in which a local vigilante member, Shuaibu Yerima, was killed.
Sanusi said the rescue mission involved operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Kubwa Area Command, as well as local hunters and vigilante groups.
He explained that at about 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the joint security team commenced an intensive search, clearance and rescue operation across Paze and neighbouring Byazhin communities.
The operation led to the rescue of all five abducted victims and the arrest of two suspects identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman. Other members of the gang reportedly escaped into nearby hills during the operation.
The commissioner said two suspected bandits were killed during an exchange of gunfire, while security operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles and magazines from the scene.
“The operation resulted in the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims and the recovery of weapons. Two suspects were arrested, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend fleeing members of the criminal gang,” he said.
The rescued victims have been taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families.
Sanusi added that security operatives have intensified search operations in the area and surrounding communities to dismantle the gang’s network and arrest the remaining suspects.
He also urged healthcare workers in both public and private medical facilities, as well as members of the public, to immediately report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or exhibiting suspicious injuries.
