The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to a kidnapping and banditry network operating on the outskirts of Abuja, including a pregnant woman accused of providing food and logistical support to members of the group.
The development was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, while briefing journalists in Abuja.
According to the police commissioner, the arrests followed a clearance operation carried out in the Byazin area of the FCT on June 11, 2026, during which some suspected bandits were arrested, others were neutralised, and kidnapped victims were rescued.
Sanusi said further intelligence-led operations led security operatives to another suspected hideout, where additional suspects were apprehended.
“One of the suspects operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages. She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, yet her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime,” he said.
The police commissioner disclosed that the suspect, identified as Hauwa Shafiu, was taken to hospital following her arrest, where she later delivered a baby.
“The baby is sound and safe. She too is sound. We have provided every medical need while we watch her recuperate,” Sanusi stated.
Among those arrested were Hauwa Shafiu, Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, and Shamsudeen Mustapha.
According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were allegedly part of a network involved in kidnapping and banditry activities within and around the Federal Capital Territory.
“The group had infiltrated and integrated into a local community just about one kilometre from the FCT, enabling them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks on targeted persons and locations,” he said.
Items recovered during the operation included four motorcycles, quantities of tramadol tablets, five mobile phones, a Point of Sale (POS) machine, cooking utensils, and N320,000 in cash.
Sanusi said investigators suspect the money may be linked to proceeds from a recent kidnapping operation, adding that one of the suspects allegedly confessed that the amount represented his share of a ransom payment.
The commissioner also alleged that one of the suspects admitted providing a motorcycle to help two fleeing bandits escape during the June 11 operation.
He further accused Mustapha of supplying illicit drugs to members of the criminal network.
Sanusi announced that the command, in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, would move to demolish structures identified as hideouts for the suspects.
He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the alleged network, while several wanted suspects had already been identified by security agencies.
