By ADELANI ADEPEGBA, Abuja

Security agencies have taken into custody eight suspects in connection with the Tuesday abduction of two professors and other staff of the University of Abuja.

The suspected kidnappers were nabbed at their hideout in Shenegwu Forest in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory during a joint operation by the police, military, Department of State Services and other security agencies on Friday.

The personnel were also said to have rescued the victims unhurt and have taken them to the hospital for medical check-up.

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the hoodlums exchanged fire with the operatives but were overwhelmed.

The statement titled, ‘Re: University of Abuja abduction: eight in custody, all victims rescued, criminal hideout uncovered,’ read:

“Following investigations and manhunt for the criminal elements involved in the abduction of staff of the University of Abuja at the University Staff Quarters, Giri, on November 2, 2021, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Military, the DSS and other security agencies in a joint operation in the early hours of Friday, November 5 successfully identified the hideout of the criminals located at Shenegwu Forest in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT and rescued all abducted victims unhurt.

“The criminal elements on sighting the security team engaged them in a fierce gun duel. However, the superior firepower of the security operatives led to the arrest of eight members of the notorious gang while some other members of the gang fled into the forest and nearby communities.”

It quoted the FCT Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, as saying that investigation was being intensified to apprehend the fleeing hoodlums.

The CP enjoined residents, particularly those around the Gwagwalada area of the FCT, to be vigilant and provide the police with useful information that can assist in apprehending the gang members still at large.

Meanwhile, the command has initiated investigation into the kerosene explosion that killed five persons and injured 10 others at the Kubwa Village market on Friday.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that two shops in the market were affected in the fire incident following a kerosene surface tank explosion.

The CP in a statement said operatives from the forensics section of the Command Criminal Investigations Department have been dispatched to the scene for forensic analysis to unravel the cause of the incident and more importantly, provide recommendations to prevent a reoccurrence of such incident.

The CP commiserated with the families of the victims and commended the people who were at the scene at the time for supporting the rescue operation and general control of the fire. (Saturday PUNCH)

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