The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has disclosed that a suspected logistics supplier and cook for a kidnapping and banditry network operating around Abuja, has delivered a baby while in police custody.
The suspect, identified as Hauwa Shafiu, was among four persons arrested during a follow-up raid on a hideout at the Paze-Byazhin hills, which is believed to be used by a criminal network operating across the FCT, Niger and Kaduna axis.
Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, said the operation followed an earlier anti-kidnapping mission he led on June 9, 2026, which culminated in intelligence-driven surveillance and a subsequent raid on June 11, 2026.
CP Sanusi who stated this at a press briefing on Monday, explained that the tactical operation led to the arrest of four suspects, including Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, Hauwa Shafiu and Shamsudeen Mustapha, at an identified hideout within the Paze hills area.
According to him, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry activities within and around the FCT. Further investigations revealed that the group had infiltrated and integrated into the local community, enabling them to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks on targeted persons and locations.
“One of the suspects, Hauwa Shafiu who operates as a logistics supplier and cook for the criminal gang and their hostages, was heavily pregnant at the time of her arrest and subsequently delivered a healthy baby while in Police custody. Adequate medical attention was provided to both mother and child.”
The CP added that the suspects admitted during interrogation that the network provided food, medical support, illicit drugs and other supplies to armed groups operating in surrounding communities.
CP Sanusi said investigations were ongoing to track and apprehend other members of the network and dismantle its wider operational structure within the region.
He also disclosed that exhibits recovered during the operation included four motorcycles, several doses of tramadol, ₦320,000 in cash, five mobile phones, a POS machine and cooking utensils allegedly used in sustaining the criminal camp.
In a separate operation, the Command said it rescued a woman who had been allegedly held in chains by her brother for over a year in a case of unlawful confinement in Abuja.
The victim, identified as 36-year-old Ms Grace Aniekuoku, was reportedly discovered in a heavily emaciated condition after police operatives forced entry into a locked room where she had been held.
Police said the suspect, identified as her brother, Mr Chinedu Aniekuoko, resisted arrest but was overpowered and taken into custody.
Investigators further revealed that the victim’s son had been taken away two years earlier and efforts were ongoing to trace and rescue him.
The police said both suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
CP Sanusi commended residents of the FCT for providing timely intelligence, describing community support as critical to recent breakthroughs in the Command’s anti-crime operations.
He urged continued cooperation from the public, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility and that sustained intelligence sharing would strengthen ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the territory.
