By Tekena Amieyeofori
The FCT Police Command says it has rescued four kidnap victims following a fierce gun battle with their abductors in the Mpape area of Abuja.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
She said the rescue followed a distress call received on July 8, reporting that suspected kidnappers stormed the area around 10:40 p.m. and abducted four residents.
According to her, the command immediately deployed operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to the location.
“Upon their arrival, preliminary findings revealed that the assailants had shot two victims before fleeing the scene and had also taken four other victims hostage from a nearby area.
“The victims were forcefully marched through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest.
“The two injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention, where one of them, identified only as Mr. Babangida, was later confirmed dead by medical personnel,
“The second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is currently responding positively to treatment,” she said.
She added that police teams sustained pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of July 8 until July 10, when the suspects were tracked down.
Adeh said the abductors were spotted at about 12:05 a.m. around Jikoko Hills heading toward Ushafa Forest with the victims.
“On sighting the advancing operatives, the kidnappers opened fire, engaging the police team in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“Demonstrating superior tactical capability, the operatives overwhelmed the suspects, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding hills and forest in a desperate attempt to evade arrest.
“All four kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed, safely evacuated from the forest, and reunited with their families,” she said.
She noted that the police teams were still trailing the fleeing suspects.
Adeh said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Sanusi, has vowed to ensure that the suspected kidnappers are apprehended and prosecuted.
She said the FCT police boss enjoins the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or to the command through its emergency lines on 08032003913, 08028940883.