Operatives of the FCT Police Command have foiled a kidnap attempt in the Byazhin area of Abuja, after engaging suspected kidnappers in a gun battle that lasted more than 30 minutes.
The operation, carried out by personnel of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit in the early hours of Thursday, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine and seven rounds of live ammunition.
According to the Police Command, the operatives acted on intelligence reports about the presence of suspected kidnappers around the Redeemed Church area near Paze Hills in Byazhin.
In a statement on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the team, led by the Officer Commanding, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, swiftly mobilised to the area at about 12:34 a.m. and discovered armed suspects attempting to force their way into a residence to abduct its occupants.
The Command said the suspects opened fire on sighting the police team, triggering an exchange of gunfire. It added that the operatives successfully repelled the attackers and frustrated the planned abduction.
“A fierce gun battle ensued for over thirty minutes, during which 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,” she said.
The police identified the intended victims as Mr. Samson and his wife, who were rescued unharmed from the scene.
“The intended victim, identified as Mr. Samson and his wife, were rescued unharmed and evacuated to safety. They were subsequently taken to General Hospital, Gwarinpa, where they received medical attention for trauma-related distress before being placed under protective custody,” the statement added.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and seven rounds of live ammunition.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, commended the operatives involved in the operation and assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory.
The police chief also directed enhanced surveillance patrols in the area to prevent further criminal activities.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against crime.
