Pregnant Woman, Four Others Nabbed Over Alleged Kidnapping Network In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to a kidnapping and banditry network operating around Abuja.

Among those arrested is a pregnant woman accused of providing food and logistical support to members of the criminal group.

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja.

According to him, the arrests followed a clearance operation carried out in the Byazin area of the FCT on June 11, 2026. During the operation, some suspected bandits were arrested, others were neutralised, and kidnapped victims were rescued.

Sanusi said further intelligence-led investigations led security operatives to another hideout where additional suspects were arrested.

He said, “One of the suspects operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages. She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, yet her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime.”

The suspect, identified as Hauwa Shafiu, was taken to the hospital after her arrest, where she later gave birth.

Sanusi said, “The baby is sound and safe. She too is sound. We have provided every medical need while we watch her recuperate.”

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

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects were part of a network involved in kidnapping and banditry activities within and around the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “The group had infiltrated and integrated into a local community just about one kilometre from the FCT, enabling them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks on targeted persons and locations.”

Items recovered during the operation included four motorcycles, quantities of tramadol tablets, five mobile phones, a Point of Sale (POS) machine, cooking utensils, and ₦320,000 in cash.

Sanusi said investigators suspect the money may be linked to proceeds from a recent kidnapping operation, adding that one of the suspects allegedly confessed that it was his share of a ransom payment.

The police commissioner also alleged that one suspect admitted providing a motorcycle that helped two fleeing bandits escape during the June 11 operation.

He further accused Mustapha of supplying illicit drugs to members of the criminal network.

Sanusi announced that the command, in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, would move to demolish structures identified as hideouts used by the suspects.

He added that efforts are ongoing to arrest other individuals linked to the network, while several wanted suspects have already been identified by security agencies.