A major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity has been recorded by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, following a series of coordinated anti-banditry operations that led to the arrest of a suspected kidnapping informant and four other key suspects. The sweep is part of a renewed, aggressive push by law enforcement to dismantle the criminal syndicates that have been terrorizing residents across the nation’s capital.
The breakthrough began on June 9, 2026, when tactical squads launched an initial anti-kidnapping and rescue operation in the rugged terrain of the Paze–Byazhin axis. Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives returned to the area two days later on June 11, executing a high-stakes raid on a hidden camp used by the bandits. The second wave of the operation resulted in the capture of four suspects identified as Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, Hauwa Shafiu, and Shamsudeen Mustapha.
Detectives handling the case reveal that these individuals are deeply embedded in a sophisticated regional network responsible for a string of recent abductions. Investigators uncovered a chilling strategy used by the syndicate, where members intentionally integrated themselves into local neighborhoods. This blending allowed them to live among everyday citizens while secretly scouting targets, monitoring security movements, and gathering logistics to coordinate precise attacks.
Among those detained, the role of Hauwa Shafiu has drawn significant attention. Police intelligence alleges she acted as a vital logistics coordinator for the gang, secretly purchasing and delivering food and essential supplies to the bandits at their hideouts, as well as keeping watch over blind spots where hostages were being held. Notably, Shafiu was heavily pregnant when operatives handcuffed her. She has since given birth while in police custody, with authorities confirming that both mother and newborn were provided with proper medical attention.
The raid also yielded a significant haul of incriminating evidence and operational tools. Law enforcement recovered four motorcycles used for navigating difficult bush paths, a stash of tramadol tablets used by the criminals, five mobile phones, a Point of Sale machine likely used for financial transactions, and various cooking utensils. Operatives also seized 320,000 Naira in cash, suspected to be part of illicit payouts or logistics funds.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, directly linked the success of these raids to the bravery of local residents who chose to speak out. He emphasized that the era of relying solely on police patrols is shifting, pointing out that modern policing relies heavily on grassroots intelligence. Sanusi stressed that securing the federal capital is a shared national duty, urging the public to maintain a steady stream of timely information to help authorities stay ahead of criminal elements.
As communities react to the thinning out of these local sleeper cells, the police command has assured the public that teams are working round the clock, with ongoing interrogations expected to lead to further arrests in the coming days.
