*Bandits kill one in Niger, kidnap 21 others
*Troops repel suspected herdsmen in Agatu
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna and George Okoh in Makurdi
The joint operation of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the Nigerian Army, has rescued the persons kidnapped at Zuma 1 and Sagwari Estate Layout of Bwari Area Council and Sauka, along Airport Road, Abuja.
Also, after a respite of about six weeks, banditry resurfaced in Niger communities especially the villages adjoining Kaduna State, where they killed one person and kidnapped 21 others.
At the same time, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, has disclosed that forces of the operation repelled the attack by suspected Fulani militias for several hours, during an attack on some communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday.
Meanwhile, those who regained their freedom in Bwari included the five Nahebaa sisters, who were abducted at Sagwari Estate, Bwari, on January 2.
The criminals who abducted them had killed three other captives while demanding a ransom of N700 million to free the victims.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, who quoted the FCT Police Commissioner, Haruna Garba, confirmed their freedom in statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
She said the victims, who were rescued around Kajuru Forest, Kaduna State, had since been reunited them with their families.
The statement stated: “Following the relentless advancement of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Anti-Kidnapping squad in a concerted effort with troops of the Nigerian Army, on the heels of the kidnappers that struck the Zuma 1 area in the Bwari Area Council on the 2nd of January 2024, The FCT Police has rescued the victims and reunited them with their families.
“The operatives successfully rescued the Victims around Kajuru forest in Kaduna state at about 11:30 pm on Saturday 20th January 2024.
“While appreciating the Inspectors General of Police IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, for the deployment of the newly commissioned Special Intervention Squad, which has given an uplift to the existing security architecture of the FCT and has brewed public confidence, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command CP Haruna G. Garba, wishes to reiterate the Commands commitment to sustaining the robust security deployment made in the area and other parts of the Territory for the utmost maintenance of peace for all and sundry.”
The Police also confirmed that operatives attached to Iddo Divisional Headquarters, yesterday, rescued another kidnapped victim, a man, Suleiman Sabo, from Kidnappers in Sauka, along Airport Road, Abuja.
The police said during the rescue operation, one Mr. Muhammad Abel aged 32, from Kogi state was apprehended while one LAR rifle with 10 rounds of life ammunition was recovered from him.
The Police added that the victim, who sustained some injuries from the kidnappers, was currently receiving medical attention and would be reunited with his family once certified fit by the medical team.
In a a related development, the FCT police command, has refuted the story making the rounds that a kidnapping incident took place at River Park estate in the nation’s capital.
The FCT PPRO, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement, quoted the FCT Police Commissioner, Haruna Garba as saying: “The FCT police Command is aware of the news making rounds about an alleged kidnapping incident at River Park estate in the early hours of today and wishes to state that contrary to reports, nobody was kidnapped in River Park Estate.
“One Nnandi Agu ‘m’ of Games Village only faked his own kidnap in an attempt to defraud his brother who lives within the said Estate.
“The suspect is currently in police custody undergoing interrogation. While investigation is still ongoing, further development would be communicated to the public.”
