Uni-Abuja Abduction: How we rescued victims, arrested 8 suspects from Gwagwalada forest – Police

Uni-Abuja Abduction: How we rescued victims, arrested 8 suspects from Gwagwalada forest – Police

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command has revealed how the two kidnapped professors and four other staff of the University of Abuja were rescued from their abductors.

It will be  recalled that armed men suspected to be kidnappers had in the early hours of Tuesday, invaded the staff quarters of the school and whisked the victims away to unknown destination.

The abductees were, however, rescued on Friday morning by the police and other security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Department of State Security Services, despite the N300 million demanded by the assailants as ransom.

A statement issued on Saturday by the FCT Police Commanders, Josephine Adeh explained that the successful rescue followed the identification of the kidnappers’ hideouts in Shenegwu Forest in the Gwagwalada Area of the FCT.

She said the security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel at the forest prior to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of about eight suspects, while others fled the scene and are currently at large.

The statement reads, “Following investigations and manhunt for the criminal elements involved in the abduction of staff of the University of Abuja at the University Staff Quarters, Giri, on 2nd November, 2021, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Military, the DSS and other security agencies in a joint operation, in the early hours of yesterday, 5th November, 2021, successfully identified the hideouts of the criminals located at Shenegwu Forest in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT and rescued all abducted victims unhurt.

“The criminal elements on sighting the security team, engaged them in a fierce gun duel. However, the superior firepower of the security operatives led to the arrest of eight (8) members of the notorious gang while some other members of the gang fled into the forest and nearby communities.

“The CP enjoined residents, particularly those around the Gwagwalada area of the FCT, to be vigilant and provide the Police with useful information that can assist in apprehending the gang members still at large. However, efforts are being intensified to arrest fleeing members of the gang.

“All the suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.

“The CP assured that investigation is being intensified and dragnet extended to arrest all the criminals. He further implores residents to report all suspicious movements, emergencies or distresses, through these numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883”.