The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued four kidnapped victims following a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Jikoko Hills area of Abuja.
The victims were abducted during an attack on the Yellow House area of Mpape on the night of Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
According to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command received a distress call at about 10:40 p.m. reporting that armed kidnappers had invaded the community and abducted four residents.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from the Katampe and Mpape Police Divisions, as well as officers from the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the attackers shot two residents before fleeing. One of the victims, identified simply as Mr. Babangida, later died from his injuries at the hospital, while the second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is receiving treatment and is responding positively.
The police maintained a sustained pursuit of the kidnappers until about 12:05 a.m. on Friday, July 10, when the suspects were tracked to Jikoko Hills while moving the hostages towards Ushafa Forest.
On sighting the advancing police team, the kidnappers opened fire, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire. The operatives, however, overpowered the suspects, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding forest.
All four kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed, safely evacuated from the forest and reunited with their families.
The FCT Police Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice, while urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.
