Police Rescue Four Abducted Abuja Residents After Gun Battle With Kidnappers

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued four residents abducted during a late-night kidnapping attack in the Mpape area of Abuja after engaging suspected kidnappers in a gun battle around the Jikoko Hills.

The command, however, confirmed that one resident was killed during the attack, while another sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m on Wednesday when armed kidnappers invaded the Yellow House area of Mpape and abducted four residents.

Following a distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from the Katampe and Mpape Divisions as well as officers of the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the attackers shot two residents before fleeing with four hostages through the Jikoko Hills towards the Ushafa Forest.

"Upon their arrival, preliminary findings revealed that the assailants had shot two victims before fleeing the scene. It was also discovered that the assailants had taken four other victims hostage from a nearby area whom they forcefully marched through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest," Adeh said.

The injured victims were rushed to a medical facility, where one of them, identified only as Mr. Babangida, was confirmed dead.

The second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is responding positively to treatment, according to the police.

Adeh said security operatives maintained a continuous pursuit of the kidnappers from Wednesday night until the early hours of Friday.

At about 12:05 a.m, police operatives tracked the suspects to the Jikoko Hills as they attempted to move the abducted victims towards the Ushafa Forest.

"The operatives maintained relentless pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the incident till Friday, 10th July, 2026, when they located the kidnappers at approximately 12:05 a.m around Jikoko Hills heading towards Ushafa Forest with the hostages," she said.

The kidnappers reportedly opened fire upon sighting the advancing security team, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.

According to the police, the operatives overpowered the suspects, forcing them to abandon the four hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding hills and forest to evade arrest.

All four victims were rescued unharmed, 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 Sanusi reaffirmed the command's commitment to tracking down everyone involved in the attack and ensuring they are brought to justice.

He also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the command's emergency lines.