Posted by Chinenye on Tue 16th Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
A major security raid on the outskirts of Abuja has uncovered a suspected kidnapping and banditry network allegedly operating close to the Federal Capital Territory.
(The arrested bandits. Photo Creditt: Punch News)
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to a k!dn@pping and b@ndit 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 him, the arrests followed a clearance operation carried out in the Byazin area of the FCT on June 11, 2026, during which suspected b@ndits were arrested, others were neutralised, and k!dn@pped victims were rescued.
He said further intelligence-led operations subsequently led security operatives to another suspected hideout, where additional suspects were apprehended.
Sanusi disclosed that one of the suspects, identified as Hauwa Shafiu, served as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages, noting that she was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest but had not been deterred from continuing to participate in the alleged crime.
He said Shafiu was taken to hospital following her arrest, where she later delivered a baby, adding that both mother and child were stable and that every necessary medical need had been provided as she recuperates.
Others arrested alongside Shafiu were Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, and Shamsudeen Mustapha.
The commissioner said preliminary investigations indicate the suspects were allegedly part of a network involved in k!dn@pping and b@ndit activities within and around the Federal Capital Territory, explaining that the group had infiltrated and integrated into a local community about one kilometre from the FCT, which allegedly enabled them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated att@cks on targeted persons and locations.
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 cash may be linked to proceeds from a recent k!dn@pping operation, noting that one of the suspects allegedly confessed the amount represented his share of a ransom payment.
He further alleged that one suspect admitted to supplying a motorcycle that helped two fleeing b@ndits escape during the June 11 operation, while accusing Mustapha of supplying illicit drugs to members of the criminal network.
The commissioner announced that the command, working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, would move to demolish structures identified as hideouts for the suspects, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the network, with several wanted suspects already identified by security agencies.