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

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, who paraded the suspects before journalists on Monday in Abuja, said the arrests followed a clearance operation carried out in the Byazin area of the FCT on June 11, 2026.

According to him, the operation led to the arrest of some suspects, the neutralisation of others, and the rescue of victims, with follow-up intelligence efforts leading to further breakthroughs.

He said one of the suspects, Hauwa Shafiu, was responsible for supplying food and logistics not only to the criminal gang but also to their kidnapped victims.

“As a follow-up to that operation, upon further engagements, we stormed a suspected bandit and kidnapper’s hideout within the same area and arrested some suspects. One of the suspects, Shafiu, operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages,” Sanusi said.

He added that the suspect was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest but continued her alleged involvement in criminal activities. According to him, she later gave birth while in custody after being taken to hospital.

“The baby is sound and safe. She too is sound. We have provided every medical need while we watch her recuperate,” he said, noting that she remains under police care.

Other suspects arrested include Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, and Shamsudeen Mustapha.

Sanusi said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were part of a wider criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry across the FCT and surrounding areas, operating from a community located about one kilometre from the territory’s boundary.

“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 on targeted persons and locations,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that items recovered from the suspects included motorcycles, tramadol tablets, mobile phones, a POS machine, cooking utensils, and ₦320,000 in cash, which he said was linked to ransom proceeds.

“According to the confession of one of the suspects, the ₦320,000 was his share from a ₦7 million ransom paid to the kidnappers,” he added.

He further revealed that one suspect admitted to helping two fleeing gang members escape during the June 11 operation.

Sanusi also identified another suspect as a drug supplier to the network.

He added that the command, in collaboration with the FCT Administration, would demolish identified criminal hideouts as part of ongoing enforcement measures.

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

The police commissioner further disclosed that several other suspects remain at large, noting that their photographs have been obtained and that efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.

“As they are looking for us, we are equally looking for them,” he added.