By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, in a joint operations with the military have successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer, Cynthia Akor, along with two civilians who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, a suburb of Abuja, last Friday.
Four suspects were also arrested during the operation.
Spokesperson, FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the statement, “At approximately 7:35pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.
“Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims families, demanding a ransom of N500 million for the naval officer and N200 million each for the two civilians.
“Upon receiving the distress report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT Police Command, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilised a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit comprising of personnel of the military DSS hunters and members of the local hunters group.
“An intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, between 2am and 5:30am on March 23, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested and the victims were rescued unharmed. Additionally, N3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects.
It was gathered that the victims are currently in stable condition and are receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Army Clinic, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.
The statement also confirmed that security deployments had been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrence.
