The police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in collaboration with local security outfits, has rescued 58 kidnap victims from some identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the territory.

The police public relations officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

She said the victims were rescued at Udulu Forest, Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest, Nasarawa State, and other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the FCT.

According to her, the bandits/Kidnappers, on sighting the security team coordinated by the police, engage the security team in a shootout duel.

“The bandits were overpowered and escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries leaving behind their victims,” she said.

Ms Adeh said the rescue operation was part of efforts by the command’s leadership to sustain joint operations with other security agencies, vigilantes and hunters from the various local communities.

She said the idea was to combat violent crimes in the FCT, rescue victims and bring perpetrators to book.

The PPRO pledged the command’s commitment to sustain efforts to prevent threats to the safety and security of FCT residents.

Ms Adeh said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Haruna Garba, has called for cooperation from FCT residents.

She said one of the kidnap victims, Tama Jonathan, unfortunately, sustained injury during the rescue operation and died on the spot.

Ms Adeh said the victim’s remains had subsequently been released to his family for burial.

She said the other 58 rescued victims were being stabilised in the hospital and would be reunited with their families. 

(NAN)