Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have rescued five kidnapped residents of Paze community in the Byazhin area of Bwari Area Council, Abuja, following a joint security operation.

The victims were freed during a clearance operation carried out by the police in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said two suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun battle, while two others were arrested.

According to her, the operation was personally led by the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, and involved officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Kubwa Area Command, as well as local security volunteers.

“Acting on recent kidnapping incidents within the Paze community in the Byazhin area, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, personally led a clearance operation,” Adeh said.

She explained that the operation commenced on June 9, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., with security operatives conducting intensive search and rescue activities across Paze and surrounding communities.

During the operation, security personnel engaged the suspects in a gun duel, leading to the death of two kidnappers and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman.

Other members of the gang reportedly escaped into nearby hills with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

The police also recovered two AK-47 rifles and magazines from the suspects.

Adeh appealed to hospitals and members of the public to report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot wounds.

“The sustained pressure mounted on the criminal elements forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed,” she added.

The rescued victims have been taken to a medical facility for treatment and are expected to be reunited with their families.

The police spokesperson said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network operating in the area.

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi commended the operatives, hunters and vigilantes involved in the operation, reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the FCT.

The latest rescue operation comes days after armed men reportedly kidnapped four residents and killed a vigilante member during an attack on the Byazhin area of Kubwa in Bwari Area Council.