Police dispel reports of kidnap of 20 people along Abuja-Kaduna highway

THE Kaduna State Police command, on Friday denied reports in some section of the media that 20 people were kidnapped on Wednesday along Abuja-Kaduna express way.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Agyole Abeh said this at a news conference in Kaduna.

“The Command wishes to state that, there was no report of such incident and the story is entirely a fabricated falsehood intended to create fear in the minds of citizens.

“It is pertinent to note that command has not relented in acting on reports on the suspected activities of criminals in the state.”

The commissioner, who was represented by his deputy in charge of operations Abdulrahaman Ahmed, said the command had only recorded an incident where five persons driving along Kaduna-Abuja express way were attacked and three of them were robbed while the other two were kidnapped.

“When the report reached us the Command’s technical and human resources where deployed to ensure the rescue of the two victims and the arrest of the culprits.

“In view of the foregoing, there is no way 20 people could be travelling inside one car can be kidnapped without trace or a report to the police by the relatives of the victims or witnesses to the crime,” he said.

The Commissioner urged the press to always cross-check their facts before publishing any story.

“All accounts of criminal incidents or stories should be verified before publication to avoid being involved in sharing mischief.”

He also advised those who patronise the social media to be wary of stories they share especially if they have questionable sources.