Police Shoot Dead Two Bandits In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command has said that at least two members of a bandit gang terrorising residents of the territory have been shot dead during a rescue operation in Bwari Area Council.

Naija News reports that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters on Wednesday.

Sanusi said he personally led the operation that resulted in the rescue of five residents abducted from Paze community in Byazhin ward of Bwari Area Council last week.

The victims were said to have been kidnapped after bandits invaded the community on Thursday.

During the attack, a local vigilante member, identified as Shuaibu Yerima, was reportedly shot dead, while five people, including a pastor, were abducted.

According to the police commissioner, the rescued victims were freed during a joint operation involving operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team, Kubwa Area Command, local hunters and vigilante groups.

He said the operation was launched at about 9:00 pm on Tuesday after security operatives trailed the gang to locations around Paze and Byazhin communities.

Sanusi explained that the joint team carried out an intensive search, clearance and rescue operation across the communities, leading to a confrontation with the kidnappers.

He said two members of the gang were shot dead during the exchange of fire, while some others fled into nearby hills.

“And during the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines, while two of the gang members were arrested during the crossfire,” he said.

The police commissioner identified the arrested suspects as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman.

He added that security operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles and magazines from the gang during the operation.

Sanusi said the fleeing members of the gang were still being tracked by security operatives, adding that search operations had been extended to adjoining communities and surrounding hills.

He said the command was determined to dismantle the criminal network responsible for kidnappings and attacks in the area.

Victims receive treatment

The commissioner said the five rescued victims had been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

He added that arrangements were being made to reunite them with their families after proper medical checks and debriefing.

Sanusi assured residents of Paze, Byazhin and other communities in Bwari Area Council that the police would sustain operations in the area until the remaining suspects were arrested.

The FCT police boss also called on hospitals, healthcare workers and members of the public to assist security agencies with useful information.

He urged public and private hospitals to promptly report any person seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or injuries under suspicious circumstances.

Sanusi said such information would help the police track fleeing members of the gang who may have sustained injuries during the gun duel.

He also appealed to residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements in their communities.