Police rescue seven kidnap residents in Abuja

FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh. Photo: NPF

Kindly share this story:

The Federal Capital Teritory Police Command has dismantled a kidnapping syndicate in the Ushafa community within the Bwari Area Council, rescuing seven abducted victims following a gun battle with the suspects.

This was disclosed on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, who said the operation followed a distress report received on December 5, 2025, that armed men had abducted residents from a community in Ushafa.

“In a swift response, a joint team comprising operatives of the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Army, and the Department of State Services mobilised to the area on December 6 and began a coordinated search operation,” she stated.

Adeh explained that the suspects were traced from the outskirts of the Mpape community towards the Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, based on actionable intelligence.

The kidnappers, according to the command, opened fire on sighting the operatives, sparking a gun duel during which one victim was rescued.

Ade noted that the operatives pursued the suspects for more than seven hours through mountainous terrain and later located their camp in Kweri Forest, Kaduna State.

The command added that another exchange of gunfire forced the kidnappers to flee, allowing the rescue of six additional victims.

“All rescued victims were immediately taken to the hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition,” Adeh disclosed.

The statement added that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, commended the operatives and ordered additional deployment along identified corridors to deter further kidnappings.

PUNCH Metro reports that the rescue operation comes less than eight days after the command neutralised three suspected kidnappers terrorising the ACO, Dupa, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali areas of Abuja.

According to Adeh, intelligence had indicated a planned attack on a community within the territory on December 1, intended for a large-scale kidnapping.

Uthman, a Mass Communication graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has over six years experience in journalism. He reports crime to community-related news for Metro, business with a focus on the capital market and the oil and gas.

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.