The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued a man, identified as Bashir Usman, from an angry mob over an alleged attempt to abduct a five-year-old child in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
The incident occurred on October 4, 2026, at about 2:46 p.m., following a distress call received by the Command that an unidentified adult male was being assaulted by a mob over the alleged attempted abduction.
Upon receiving the report, police operatives attached to Kuje Division were immediately deployed to the scene, where they rescued Usman from the mob, which was reportedly preparing to lynch him.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the suspect was allegedly assaulted after he was accused of attempting to abduct a five-year-old girl in front of her residence in Angwan Lado, Kuje Area Council.
In a statement signed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the police said Usman had since been taken into protective custody as investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.
According to the Command, the investigation is also being expanded to determine whether the suspect had any accomplices or was involved in other related activities.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, condemned the resort to jungle justice, warning members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
Sanusi said such acts were criminal and could amount to murder under the law, stressing that suspected offenders should be handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the safety and wellbeing of their children and wards.
The Command called on residents to promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency numbers: 08028940883 and 08032003913.