By MONDAY IJEH

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it had successfully rescued four kidnap victims after a heavy gun duel in the Mpape area of Abuja.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She said the victims were rescued following a distress call on July 8, reporting that suspected kidnappers invaded the area at about 10:40 p.m. and kidnapped four residents.

According to her, upon receipt of the report, the command immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to the scene.

“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 said police operatives maintained relentless pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the incident, July 8 till July 10, when they located the kidnappers.

Adeh said the kidnappers were located at about 12:05 am around Jikoko Hills heading towards Ushafa Forests 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 said the responding police teams had remained hot on the trail of the fleeing kidnappers.

Adeh said the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Ahmed Sanusi, had pledged to ensure that those responsible for the heinous act would be arrested and brought to justice.

She said the Sanusi enjoined 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. (NAN)