Police foil kidnapping attempt after gunfight with kidnappers in Abuja – THIS UPDATE

By Victor Osula, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has foiled a kidnapping attempt in Abuja following a fierce gunbattle with suspected kidnappers in Byazhin area of ​​the national capital.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying that officers assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit acted swiftly on intelligence reports leading to the operation.

According to Adeh, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, around 00:34, after security officers received credible information indicating the presence of suspected kidnappers in the area of ​​the Church of the Redeemed in Byazhin.

He explained that a coordinated response team, led by the Officer Commanding (OC), Anti-Kidnapping Unit, was immediately deployed to the scene.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that the armed suspects were attempting to force their way into a home with the intention of kidnapping the occupants,” Adeh said.

It further said that the suspects opened fire upon sighting police officers, prompting an immediate tactical response from security personnel.

“A fierce firefight ensued lasting over 30 minutes, during which police officers successfully repelled the attackers and foiled the kidnapping attempt.”

The police spokesperson said the suspects eventually fled into nearby bushes with varying degrees of gunshot wounds sustained during the exchange.

Security personnel recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and seven live ammunition from the scene following the operation.

Adeh identified the intended victim simply as Mr Samson and said he, along with his wife, were rescued unharmed and evacuated from the area to ensure their safety.

He added that the rescued victims were later taken to Gwarinpa General Hospital, where they received medical treatment for trauma-related stress before being placed in protective custody.

Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner in charge of the FCT, CP Ahmed Sanusi, commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as exceptional courage, professionalism and prompt response.

Sanusi reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory and directed the immediate strengthening of surveillance patrols within the area to prevent any resurgence of criminal activities.

He also urged residents to remain safety conscious and continue to support law enforcement by providing timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and security operations.