Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have intensified efforts in the search and rescue of 23 persons kidnapped on January 9 by some armed bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja.
A police source has disclosed that tactical teams have been deployed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba to “comb bushes and shanties” in border areas between the FCT, Niger, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States where the kidnappers may likely be hiding with the abducted victims.
“Police operatives from various tactical units have been combing the bushes and shanties in Bwari and other border areas between the FCT and Niger, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits.
“Since the incident happened, the CP had deployed operatives on a rescue mission, but the police had been careful not to jeopardise our efforts by revealing details because the bandits are everywhere – they’re on social media, and they read the news.
The source also disclosed that during the abduction raid on the residents, many other families were also taken away by the bandits, amounting to a total number of 23 persons abducted. Three have been killed by the bandits, including one of the six sisters, Nabeeha.
“Contrary to what is being said on social, it wasn’t only that family that was kidnapped. About 23 persons were kidnapped during the attack while two police officers were shot and a civilian was killed, as reported in the news last week.
“However, the issue of this family became severe because they isolated themselves and were negotiating with the bandits, and took everything to social media. Maybe that action emboldened the bandits to demand more and also killed some of the victims. Nabeeha wasn’t the only one that was killed, three other persons were also killed by the bandits, unfortunately,” the source added.
Following efforts to raise money from the public to pay the kidnappers who demanded for N60million per person, and later moved to N65million, the ransom was on Monday, increased to N100million per person.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Josephine Adeh said the police are working hard to tackle the situation. However, for security reasons, there will be minimal details on the ongoing rescue operations.
The abduction has garnered a lot of attention, and many prominent figures in the country – including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi – have condemned the act, while calling on the government to act fast against the ugly trend which has become a daily rountine in the West African Nation.
“This is yet another reminder that kidnappers and bandits are operating unhindered in our country. The security architecture needs to be rejigged to the extent that it stems from the free rein of criminal elements and guarantees the safety of lives and property. The security agencies should step up action to rescue the rest who are still in the custody of the kidnappers,” Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said of the incident.
Labour Party’s Presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Peter Obi said:
“The fact that these kidnappings, killings and other reported cases of armed robbery and violent attacks, are now taking place in Abuja, the nation’s capital, is a clear pointer to how insecure the rest of the country now is.”