Maha Christopher
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers and bandits during a rescue operation in the Paze-Byazhin Hills, a border area linking Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states.
According to an Instagram post by businessdaytelevision_ng, the suspects were apprehended during an operation that led security operatives to a hideout allegedly used by kidnappers to keep victims and coordinate criminal activities.
Speaking during an inspection of the location, a police officer said the area had served as a base for the criminal group, where victims were held captive and logistics were organised.
“This is where they come to hide. They take people into the rocks and keep them there, then return here. This is where they sleep at night, cook their food and organise their logistics,” the officer said.
He explained that the breakthrough came after the arrest of some suspects during an earlier operation near the hills.
“The last operation we undertook that led to this arrest was right behind the hills. It was their arrest that led us to this particular location afterwards,” he added.
The officer said security forces had now taken control of the area and would maintain a presence there to prevent criminals from returning.
“We have taken over this location, and our men will continue to maintain a presence here. We will ensure that these people do not come back again and take over this place,” he said.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat kidnapping and banditry along the Abuja–Kaduna–Niger corridor, which has witnessed a series of attacks in recent years.
Police have not yet released the identities of the suspects, while investigations are expected to continue.
