The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the killing of two suspected bandits and the rescue of five kidnapped residents during a security operation in Abuja.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters, saying he led the operation that targeted a notorious gang linked to recent attacks in communities within the territory.
The operation followed the abduction of five residents of Paze community in Byazhin Ward of Bwari Area Council last week.
It was gathered lthat terrorists invaded the community on Thursday, abducting five people, including a pastor, and killing a local vigilante member identified as Shuaibu Yerima.
According to Sanusi, the victims were rescued during a joint operation involving operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Kubwa Area Command, local hunters and vigilante groups.
He said that at about 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, he led the joint security team in an intensive search, clearance and rescue mission across Paze and Byazhin communities.
The police commissioner stated that the operation led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other members of the gang escaped into surrounding hills.
“And during the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines, while two of the gang members were arrested during the crossfire,” he said.
Sanusi added that the five rescued victims had been taken to a hospital for medical attention and that efforts were underway to reunite them with their families.
He noted that security operatives had intensified search operations across the affected communities and surrounding areas to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
The commissioner also appealed to healthcare workers and members of the public to assist ongoing investigations.
He called on “healthcare practitioners, private and public hospitals and members of the public to promptly report any individual presenting gunshot related injuries or seeking treatment under suspicious circumstances.”
The FCT has witnessed a series of kidnappings and violent attacks in recent months, raising concerns among residents over security in communities on the outskirts of Abuja.
(SaharaReporters)