The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested five suspects believed to be part of a kidnapping and banditry network operating on the outskirts of Abuja, including a pregnant woman alleged to have provided food and logistics support to the gang.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this while parading the suspects before journalists in Abuja on Monday.

He said the arrests followed a clearance operation carried out in the Byazin area of the FCT on June 11, 2026, during which some suspected bandits were arrested, others were neutralised, and victims were rescued.

According to him, one of the suspects, identified as Hauwa Shafiu, served as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal group as well as their abducted 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,” the commissioner said.

He added that the suspect was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest but continued her alleged involvement in the criminal activities.

“She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, even though her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime,” he stated.

Sanusi noted that she was immediately taken to the hospital, where she later gave birth safely. He added that both mother and child are in stable condition and receiving medical attention at a police facility.

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

The commissioner said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects were part of a wider criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry within and around the FCT.

He explained that the group had embedded itself in a community located about one kilometre from the FCT boundary, where they allegedly coordinated attacks and gathered intelligence on potential targets.

Recovered items from the suspects include four motorcycles, multiple tramadol tablets, five mobile phones, a POS machine, cooking utensils, and ₦320,000 in cash.

Sanusi said the cash was part of proceeds from a recent ransom payment.

“According to the confession of one of the suspects, the N320,000 was his share from a N7 million ransom paid to the kidnappers,” he said.

He also revealed that one suspect admitted to helping two fleeing bandits escape during the June 11 operation, confirming that the network had external support even during security raids.

Another suspect was identified as a drug supplier to the criminal gang.

The commissioner said the command, in collaboration with the FCT Administration, plans to demolish identified hideouts linked to the suspects.

“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.

He further stated that several suspects have been declared wanted, adding that security forces are actively pursuing them.

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