The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested five suspects linked to a kidnapping and banditry network operating on the outskirts of Abuja, including a heavily pregnant woman accused of supplying food and logistics to the gang.
FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi paraded the suspects before journalists on Monday and said officers made the arrests after a clearance operation in the Byazin area on June 11, 2026. The operation led to the arrest and neutralisation of several bandits while security operatives also rescued kidnapped victims.
Sanusi identified the woman as Hauwa Shafiu and said she served as the gang’s cook and logistics supplier despite her advanced pregnancy. Following her arrest, police took her to the hospital, where she later gave birth.
“The baby is safe and healthy, and she is also receiving medical care at our facility while she recuperates,” the commissioner said.
Police also arrested Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa and Shamsudeen Mustapha during the operation. Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to a criminal network that allegedly embedded itself in a community close to the FCT boundary to gather intelligence and coordinate attacks.
Officers recovered four motorcycles, tramadol tablets, five mobile phones, a POS machine, cooking utensils and N320,000 in cash. According to police, one suspect confessed that the money represented his share of a N7 million kidnapping ransom.
Sanusi also alleged that one suspect supplied a motorcycle that helped two fleeing bandits escape during the June 11 operation, while Mustapha allegedly provided drugs to the criminal network.
The commissioner said the command would work with the FCT Administration to demolish identified criminal hideouts and continue operations against wanted bandits in the territory.
