4 abducted Abuja residents regain freedom

Four residents of Paze community in the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have regained their freedom after spending five days in captivity following their abduction by gunmen.  Abuja Metro gathered that the victims, comprising three adult males, including a pastor, and an 11-year-old boy, were kidnapped in […]

Four residents of Paze community in the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have regained their freedom after spending five days in captivity following their abduction by gunmen.

 Abuja Metro gathered that the victims, comprising three adult males, including a pastor, and an 11-year-old boy, were kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday when armed assailants invaded the community.

 A family member of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the four abductees returned to the community at about 11pm on Tuesday after N5 million ransom per victim was reportedly paid to secure their release.

 According to the source, the kidnappers initially demanded ransom from the families, who eventually raised and pooled the required funds before handing them over through a designated intermediary.

 “All the families contributed the ransom, which was handed to one person who delivered it to the kidnappers in the bush. The victims were released shortly afterwards and returned home that same night,” the source said.

He added that the victims were immediately taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment following their ordeal.

But the FCT Police Command said it successfully rescued five kidnapped victims following an intensive joint rescue operation conducted in the Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said “Acting on recent kidnapping incidents within Paze community in Byazhin area, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, personally led a clearance operation with a team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and Kubwa Area Command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups.

“On 9th June, 2026, at approximately 9pm, the joint security team launched an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across Paze and Byazhin communities. During the operation, the team engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralization of two suspects and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members fled into nearby hills with varying degrees of bullet wounds. 

 “During the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines. The Command therefore calls on healthcare practitioners, private and public hospitals, and members of the public to promptly report any individual presenting gunshot related injuries or seeking treatment under suspicious circumstances.

 “The sustained pressure mounted on the criminal elements forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed.

 The rescued victims have since been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.

“Meanwhile, search operations continue across the general area and adjoining communities aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling the criminal network.”

 Abuja Metro reports that security presence has been strengthened in the area, with a joint security patrol team deployed to the community from Sunday to prevent further attacks.

Residents who spoke with our reporter commended the increased security patrols, saying the development had helped restore confidence among community members still traumatised by the incident.

 Many of them expressed hope that the sustained presence of security personnel would deter future attacks and improve safety in the area.

 Abuja Metro reports that gunmen had in the early hours of Thursday June 4, attacked Paze community around the Byazhin area of Kubwa in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), killing a local vigilante and abducting four residents, including a pastor.

 The attackers, said to be about eight in number, reportedly shot dead a security guard, Shuaibu Yerima, who was engaged to protect the neighbourhood popularly known as “Back of Catholic Church.”

 The gunmen also abducted Pastor Francis Oriade of the All Christian Fellowship Mission (ACFM), Maitama, Abuja; Jewel Obeh; Friday Isaac; and an 11-year-old boy, Delight Okeke.

 Abuja Metro reports that the attack occurred less than a week after bandits invaded the nearby Kungabokun community and abducted a resident from the area.

Speaking of the incident, Emmanuel Isaac, younger brother of one of the abducted victims, said he first noticed the attackers’ arrival shortly after midnight following a gunshot believed to have killed the security guard.

 “We then saw them coming into our premises, with about four of them bearing guns. Another member of the gang that seemed to be leading them was wearing a mask on his face. We attempted to escape through a back door, only to be rounded up and asked to move back inside the house.

 “They tied my hands and that of my elder brother before directing me to go with them. But my brother pleaded with them to rather go with him, which they agreed to.

 “About 10 minutes after they left, policemen arrived. We pleaded with the police to trail the kidnappers, pointing toward the direction they went but they said no, that they preferred to go through a different direction,” said Isaac.