The police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it dislodged bandits, destroyed their hideouts and rescued four kidnap victims in Kuje area of the territory in a gun duel that left a hunter dead.

Police spokeswoman in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement on Wednesday that operatives invaded Dadu hills via Chukwuku village in Kuje area council of FCT following receipt of intelligence about the movement of suspected bandits holding some persons hostage in the area.

Ms Adeh said the operation, carried out by the command in partnership with Destiny Hunters commenced at about 06:00hrs on May 31.

The police disclosed names of the rescued victims as Mustahudeen Sani, Felix Vaa, Adamu Isa and Abdulsalam Uzugiz.

According to her, Messrs Sani, Vaa and Isa were reportedly kidnapped between May 23 and 25 at Kiyi village while Mr Uzugiz was kidnapped at Angwan Gede Extension area.

“Unfortunately, the criminal elements, upon sighting the gallant advancement of the team engaged them in a gun duel where a member of the Destiny Hunters paid the ultimate price,” the police statement added. “The miscreants retreated with various degrees of gunshot injuries owing to the superior firepower of the team.”

Ms Adeh also mentioned the rescued victims had been reunited with their families after medical examination as police commissioner Babaji Sunday extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.

The police enjoined FCT residents to remain vigilant, and strengthen their partnership with the force, urging residents to provide “prompt and actionable intelligence through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.” 

(NAN)