Cyril Mbah, Abuja
Residents of Chukuku, a flourishing community in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, woke up on Monday to the news of the kidnap of 10 members of the community by unknown gunmen, who struck at midnight on Sunday and operated until early morning on Monday.
A businessman, who is a resident of the village, Mr. Sonny Nwachukwu, disclosed that the gunmen shot sporadically and moved from house to house to pick their victims, including two brothers from the same family.
The kidnap incident came two days after the FCT Police Command and armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly killed suspected kidnappers during a gun battle at Pegi community, a notorious kidnap zone also Iocated in Kuje Area Council.
FCT police public relations officer, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the attacks and disclosed that the clash between some bandits and security personnel occurred when the operatives stormed kidnappers’ hideout in the area, following a tip-off, to rescue the family members of a pastor who were abducted two weeks earlier.
The PPRO disclosed that the kidnappers opened fire on security operatives but were overpowered and seven of their victims released.According to the police spokesperson, “The police and the Department of State Services invaded the kidnappers’ hideout, which led to a gun battle between them and the kidnappers.
“The kidnappers fled when they could not match the firepower of the police and the DSS. One of them was shot, another was killed and many of them ran away with gunshot injuries.
“We were able to rescue seven victims and recovered the sum of N47,000. Also, one iPhone, one AK-47 rifle, 15 AK-47 magazines, military items like camouflage, six mobile phones, hard drugs and charms were also recovered,” she added.
Meanwhile, the wife and daughters of the Abuja-based pastor who were abducted by hoodlums on September 4, 2021 from Pegi community have been reunited with the pastor after they regained their freedom.
The Chukuku kidnappers have not made contact with the family members of those abducted on Monday as at the time of filing this report.
The FCT police commissioner, CP Babajide Sunday, addressed a press conference recently and promised to smoke out bandits and kidnappers from every part of the territory.
He also announced the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin, identified as Danjuma Mohammed from whom two AK 47 rifles and 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
The kidnap kingpin led security operatives to where his accomplices Yahaya Musa and Shagari Adamu, who are members of Danjuma’s gang were also arrested.
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