The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt in the Byazhin area of Abuja, rescuing two residents unharmed and recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and other exhibits after a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit acted on credible intelligence reports about the presence of suspected kidnappers around the Redeemed Church area of Byazhin, near Paze Hills.
The operation, which took place at about 12:34 a.m. on June 5, was led by the Officer Commanding the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Upon arriving at the scene, the operatives discovered that the armed suspects were attempting to forcefully gain entry into a residence with the intention of abducting the occupants.
The suspects reportedly opened fire on sighting the police team, leading to an intense gun battle that lasted for over 30 minutes. The police operatives successfully repelled the attackers and thwarted the kidnapping attempt.
The suspected kidnappers, who sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds during the exchange, fled into nearby bushes.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, and seven rounds of live ammunition.
The intended victims, identified as Mr. Samson and his wife, were rescued unharmed and evacuated to safety. The couple was later taken to General Hospital, Gwarinpa, where they received treatment for trauma-related distress before being placed under protective custody.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, PhD, praised the courage, professionalism, and swift response of the operatives involved.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the nation’s capital and directed the intensification of surveillance patrols in the area to prevent further criminal activities.
The police commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat crime in the FCT.
The Command advised residents to make use of its emergency lines—08032003913 and 07057337653 to report suspicious activities and security concerns.
