Five kidnapped victims have been rescued in the Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory following a joint forest operation led by the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Sanusi.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the Command said the operation also led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of two others.
According to the statement, the operation followed recent kidnapping incidents within the Paze community in Byazhin.
The Commissioner of Police was said to have personally coordinated the clearance mission involving operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team, the Kubwa Area Command, local hunters and vigilante groups.
The joint team subsequently launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations across the Paze and Byazhin axis, where they encountered suspected kidnappers in a gun battle.
Police identified the arrested suspects as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members reportedly escaped into surrounding hills with gunshot injuries.
Security operatives also recovered two AK-47 rifles and magazines during the operation.
The Command said sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced them to abandon five captives, who were rescued unharmed.
The victims were later taken to a medical facility for evaluation ahead of reunification with their families.
The police have appealed to hospitals, healthcare workers and residents to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or presenting suspicious injuries.
Search operations are continuing across nearby communities as security agencies intensify efforts to track down fleeing members of the gang and dismantle the network.