Metro

Police rescue 58 kidnapped victims in Kogi forest

The Nigerian police said it has rescued no fewer than 58 kidnapped victims at Udulu Forest, Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest, Nasarawa State, and other identified kidnappers’ den in communities contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory.

Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, made this known in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the bandits/kidnappers on sighting the security team coordinated by the police, engaged the security team in a shootout duel.

Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, added that a kidnapped victim identified as Tama Jonathan died during a gun duel between police operatives and the suspected kidnappers.

“The bandits were overpowered and escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries leaving behind their victims,” she said.

“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, adding that the idea was to combat violent crimes in the FCT, rescue victims, and bring perpetrators to book.

The police pledged the commitment of the command to sustaining efforts to prevent threats to the safety and security of FCT residents. The force spokesperson 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.