Police officers have rescued 58 kidnap victims at Udulu Forest, Gegu LGA of Kogi State, which borders Sardauna Forest, Nasarawa State, and other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory.
On Sunday, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police and spokesperson of the FCT Police Command disclosed this in a statement, saying the bandits/kidnappers on sighting the security team coordinated by the police engaged the security team in a shootout duel. The bandits were overpowered and escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries, leaving behind their victims.
Meanwhile, one Tama Jonathan unfortunately sustained an injury during the rescue operation and died on the spot. His remains have subsequently been released to his family for burial. The other 58 rescued victims are being stabilised in the hospital and will be reunited with their families.
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. The idea was to combat violent crimes in the FCT, rescue victims and bring perpetrators to book.
The PPRO pledged the commitment of the command to sustaining efforts to prevent threats to the safety and security of FCT residents. She said the command would also not relent in ensuring the rescue of any resident held hostage by criminals as well as bringing the perpetrators to book