Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
A midnight kidnapping attempt in Abuja’s Byazhin area was thwarted by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command after a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers, leading to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and the rescue of two intended victims.
The FCT Police Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday following intelligence reports on the movement of suspected kidnappers around the Redeemed Church area of Byazhin near Paze Hills.
According to the statement, operatives attached to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by the Officer Commanding the unit, swiftly mobilised to the area at about 12:34 a.m. after receiving information that armed criminals were operating within the vicinity.
Upon arrival, the police team reportedly discovered the suspects attempting to forcefully gain access to a residential building with the intention of abducting its occupants.
The statement said the suspects opened fire on sighting the operatives, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire that lasted for more than 30 minutes.
“The police operatives successfully repelled the attackers and foiled the kidnapping attempt. The suspects fled into the surrounding bushes with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” the Command stated.
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. They were later taken to General Hospital, Gwarinpa, where they received medical attention 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, fcai., commended the courage and professionalism displayed by the operatives.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory and directed increased surveillance and patrols within the area to prevent further criminal activities.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing anti-crime efforts across the territory.
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