Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have shot dead two suspected bandits and rescued five kidnapped victims during a high-stakes operation in the Bwari Area Council.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, who personally led the operation, disclosed this to journalists at the command headquarters on Wednesday.
The neutralized gang members were reportedly part of the group responsible for the abduction of five residents of Paze community in the Byazhin ward last Thursday. During that attack, a local vigilante identified as Shuaibu Yerima was killed while attempting to resist the invaders.
According to CP Sanusi, the rescue operation commenced at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday. It involved a joint team of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and the Kubwa Area Command, supported by local hunters and vigilantes.
The team combed the hills and forests of Paze and Byazhin, engaging the criminals in a fierce gun battle.
“During the crossfire, two members of the gang were neutralized, while two others, identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, were arrested. Other gang members fled into the nearby hills with gunshot wounds,” the CP stated.
Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles and several magazines from the scene.
CP Sanusi confirmed that the five rescued victims, including a local pastor, have been taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and will be reunited with their families shortly.
“Our search operations are ongoing across the general area and adjoining communities to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle their criminal network,” he added.
The Commissioner urged healthcare practitioners, private hospitals, and the public to report any individual seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or presenting under suspicious circumstances.
