By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Federal government’s determination to curb banditry and kidnappings in the Federal Capital (FCT) may have started yielding positive results as the Nigeria Police on Thursday swiftly rescued an Abuja resident, Segun Akinyemi who was said to have been kidnapped while driving out of his house.
Police were able to rescue the man after a fierce gun battle with the kidnapers.
Acccording to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kaduna, Mansir Hassan, the kidnappers were taking Akinyemi from Abuja to Kano State when the police swooped on them.
He said operatives attached to Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja. He said they were alerted, as the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.
“The operatives, at about 0010 hours, blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with registration number Abuja
RBC 90 DC, carrying four persons, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers
and their victim.
“On sensing danger and in an effort to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the policemen and they responded.
“In the resulting gun duel, the victim, a certain Segun Akinyemi of block 10, flat 2 FCDA quarters Area
3 Garki, Abuja, was rescued and one of the kidnappers, a 28-year-old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja, was arrested,” the PPRO explained.
The police said the three other suspects escaped. The three who escaped were: Chidibere Nwodibo of
Life Camp, Abuja, one Auwal surname unknown and the gang leader whose identity is yet to be ascertained.
The vehicle belonging to the victim, two Retay G17 model pistols, one Beretta pistol, ten 9mm P.A.K.
ammunition, and five 9mm special ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers. READ ALSO:
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It was gathered that Akinyemi was seized on Wednesday when he was leaving his house.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met service chiefs and other heads of security agencies at the State House, Abuja directing them to end kidnappings.
Similarly, the Minister of FCTA Nyesom Wike on Wednesday held townhall meetings in the area
councils of the FCT, starting with Bwari Area Council in keeping with Mr President’s directive to tackle insecurity in the country.
