Abuja, Nigeria: The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping and banditry network, including a pregnant woman who supplied logistics, following an operation on June 11, 2026.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, paraded the suspects before journalists on Monday, June 15, 2026 (WAT), confirming the arrests resulted from a clearance operation in the Byazin area.
Sanusi identified the female suspect as Hauwa Shafiu, stating she prepared meals and managed logistics for the criminal gang and their captives. “One of the suspects, Shafiu, operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages. She was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest, even though her pregnancy did not deter her from continuously committing this heinous crime,” the commissioner said.
The police commissioner stated that Shafiu was transferred to a medical facility where she delivered her child. “The baby is sound and safe. She too is sound. We have provided every medical need while we watch her recuperate,” he said.
Authorities identified the other arrested individuals as Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, and Shamsudeen Mustapha, recovering four motorcycles, 31 pieces of 500mg tramadol tablets, 10 pieces of 50mg tramadol tablets, five phones, one POS machine, cooking utensils, and N320,000 (USD 213) in cash. Sanusi said the money was part of a N7 million (USD 4,666) ransom payment and identified Mustapha as an active drug supplier for the network.
The police command intends to work with the FCT Administration to demolish structures used by 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. Any such houses that we continue to identify, we will continue to bring down,” he said.
