Security agents rescue 10 kidnapped persons in Abuja

The 10 persons recently kidnapped in Kuje Area Council of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been rescued by security agencies.

Notorious gang which specialised in robbing and kidnapping residents had attacked Darka Village in Kuje Area Council in the early hours of Sunday, November 13, while a neihgbouring village of Huni-Gade was also attacked on Thursday, November 17.

Speaking on the rescue on Monday, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Musa Bello said the administration refrained from giving details of the attack to avoid jeopardising the lives of the victims and did not say if ransom was eventually paid.

He said eight of the victims were rescued Sunday night, while the other two were rescued early Monday, describing the operation as successful.

The minister disclosed that the operation was in two phases, which included rescue of the victims and ongoing patrol of the forests and mountains.

Bello noted that a member of the rescue team and staff of the NSCDC was the one who lost his life to the operation.

According to the minister, all the structures of the notorious hoodlums were being dismantled, while security agencies had set up a surveillance mechanism in order not to allow such miscreants operate within the territory.

Commenting on the motive of the crime, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Mustapha, said the mountainous areas became habitable for the criminals because security agencies failed in their responsibility.

He assured residents of the affected villages that the police command had commenced massive deployment to forestall future occurrence.