Kidnap victims in Kaduna State were freed over the weekend as a coordinated task force comprising Federal Capital Territory Police and Nigerian Army personnel swung into action.
Reports indicate that the victims were abducted on January 2, 2024, in the Zuma 1 region of Kawu, located within the Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
In a statement released on Sunday, Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, officially confirmed the successful rescue of the victims, noting that the operation took place around Kajuru Forest in Kaduna state at approximately 11:30 pm on Saturday.
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The statement reads, ‘Following the relentless advancement of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Anti-Kidnapping squad in a concerted effort with troops of the Nigerian Army, on the heels of the kidnappers that struck the Zuma 1 area in the Bwari Area Council on the 2nd of January 2024, The FCT Police has rescued the victims and reunited them with their families.’
‘The operatives successfully rescued the Victims around kajuru forest in Kaduna state at about 11:30 pm on Saturday 20th January 2024.’
‘While appreciating the Inspectors General of Police IGP Olukayode Egbetokun ph.D., NPM , for the deployment of the newly commissioned Special Intervention Squad , which has given an uplift to the existing security architecture of the FCT and has brewed public confidence, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command CP Haruna G. Garba psc , wishes to reiterate the Commands commitment to sustaining the robust security deployment made in the area and other parts of the Territory for the utmost maintenance of peace for all and sundry.’
‘The good people of FCT are hence encouraged to note the following emergency lines and promptly report suspicious activities; 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883. PCB: 09022222352.’
Following the recent establishment of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) under IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the police have achieved notable success, arresting 16 notorious criminals and confiscating arms and ammunition in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The lineup of suspects paraded on Saturday featured three individuals from Bwari implicated in criminal activities: Idris Ishaku (27 years), Bala Umar (27 years), and Dahiru Salisu (27 years). Their alleged involvement spans a series of armed robberies and kidnappings in the Bwari Local Government Area and beyond in Abuja.