FCT POLICE ARREST FIVE OVER KIDNAPPING, BANDITRY; PREGNANT WOMAN ALLEGEDLY SUPPLIED FOOD TO GANG

Read Time:2 Minute, 17 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to a kidnapping and banditry network operating around the outskirts of Abuja, including a heavily pregnant woman accused of serving as a cook and logistics supplier for the gang and their captives.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this while parading the suspects before journalists in Abuja on Monday.

According to the commissioner, the arrests followed a clearance operation carried out on June 11, 2026, in the Byazin area of the FCT, during which security operatives arrested several suspects, neutralised others and rescued kidnapped victims.

Sanusi identified one of the suspects as Hauwa Shafiu, alleging that she played a key support role in sustaining the operations of the criminal network.

“One of the suspects, Shafiu, operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages. She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, even though her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime,” he said.

The commissioner explained that after her arrest, she was taken to a hospital on his directive, where she later gave birth.

“The baby is sound and safe. She too is sound. We have provided every medical need while we watch her recuperate,” he added.

Other suspects arrested were identified as Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa and Shamsudeen Mustapha.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects allegedly belonged to a network involved in kidnapping and banditry operations within and around the FCT and had embedded themselves within a nearby local community to gather intelligence and coordinate attacks.

“The group had infiltrated and integrated into a local community just about one kilometre away from the FCT itself, enabling them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks,” Sanusi stated.

Police said exhibits recovered during the operation included four motorcycles, quantities of tramadol tablets, five mobile phones, a POS machine, cooking utensils and N320,000 cash.

According to the commissioner, one suspect allegedly confessed that the cash represented his share of a N7 million ransom paid during a recent kidnapping incident.

Sanusi also disclosed that one suspect admitted providing a motorcycle to assist two fleeing bandits during the June 11 operation.

He further alleged that one of the suspects, Mustapha, functioned as a drug supplier to the criminal network.

The commissioner announced that the command, in collaboration with the FCT Administration, would demolish properties identified as operational bases for the suspects.

“We have identified their houses and we are moving from here to go and demolish those houses in collaboration with the FCT administration,” he said.

He added that the police had also declared several bandits wanted and vowed to intensify efforts to track down all members of the network.