Police Take Down Terrorists' Camp in Abuja, Arrest Four Suspects

The FCT Police Command has reported that they arrested four people suspected of being part of a kidnapping and banditry group. They also destroyed a suspected terrorist camp found in the Paze-Byazhin hills, just outside Abuja.

These arrests happened after a recent anti-kidnapping and rescue operation led by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, on June 9. Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the command, shared this information in a statement on Monday.

According to her, the police acted on intelligence and conducted a follow-up raid on June 11 at a hideout in the Paze hills. This area is remote and borders the FCT, Kaduna, and Niger states.

During this operation, the police arrested four suspects: Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, Hauwa Shafiu, and Shamsudeen Mustapha.

Ms Adeh explained that initial investigations showed the camp was a key spot where armed bandits planned their activities. They coordinated movements, chose targets, and arranged attacks in the FCT and nearby states.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a coordinated criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry activities within the FCT and adjoining states," she stated.

On June 15, Commissioner Sanusi led another team to the same location, where they completely dismantled the camp. They destroyed makeshift shelters and storage facilities that the criminals used, disrupting their operations.

The police spokesperson mentioned that one of the suspects, Hauwa Shafiu, acted as a logistics supplier and cook for the group and their victims. She noted that Shafiu was pregnant when arrested and has since given birth to a healthy baby while in custody, where she continues to receive proper medical care for herself and her newborn.

Ms Adeh added that investigations are ongoing as they work to find other members of the network and break down the larger criminal structure operating in the area.