Some 58 kidnapped victims have been rescued from their abductors’ den, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for FCT Police Command, says.
She said the operation was carried out by police operatives and some local security outfits.
Adeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the victims were rescued at Udulu Forest, Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest, Nasarawa State, and other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the FCT.
According to her, the bandits/kidnappers on sighting the security team coordinated by the police, engaged in a gun duel with the team.
“The bandits were overpowered and escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries leaving behind their victims,” she said.
She said the idea of joint operation was to combat violent crimes in the FCT, rescue victims and bring perpetrators to book.
The police spokesperson pledged the commitment of the command to sustaining efforts to prevent threats to the safety and security of FCT residents.
She said the command would also not relent in ensuring the rescue of any residents held hostage by criminals as well as bring the perpetrators to book.
Adeh said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Haruna Garba, has called for cooperation from FCT residents.
She said the CP enjoined the residents to be security conscious and provide credible information to the police.
Adeh said one of the kidnap victims, Tama Jonathan, unfortunately, sustained injury during the rescue operation and died on the spot.
She said the remains of the victim had subsequently been released to his family for burial.
She said the other 58 rescued victims were being stabilised in the hospital and would be reunited with their families.
NAN.
