One Shot As Police Thwart Kidnap Attempt In Abuja

A resident of El-Rufai Estate in the Bwari Area of the Federal Capital Territory identified as Nathaniel has been shot by kidnappers after an attempt to kidnap him was foiled.

The kidnappers numbering over 15 had invaded the estate around 2 am on Wednesday and shot sporadically.

It was gathered that the kidnappers had attempted to abduct many of the residents before their operation was thwarted by the operatives of the FCT police command in collaboration with troops.

A resident who gave his name as Saliu told our correspondent that the police and kidnappers engaged themselves in a fierce gun duel that lasted for about 30 minutes.

He added that the kidnappers were unable to abduct anyone from the estate but shot one resident they were trying to take away.

Saliu said, “Around 2 am on Wednesday, some kidnappers numbering about 15 came to the Elrufai Estate here. All of them were carrying guns and they were shooting non-stop.

“The kidnappers attempted to kidnap some persons. You know in this area we have experienced a lot of kidnappings in the past but recently the police have been very active.

“Fortunately, the police came on time and they exchanged fire with those kidnappers. This lasted for about 30 minutes or so but at the end of the day, nobody was taken away by the kidnappers. However, the kidnappers shot one Nathaniel. They wanted to take him away but they couldn’t. ”

When contacted, the FCT police command spokesperson Josephine Adeh confirmed the incident.

She added that the police are on the trail of the kidnappers.

Adeh said, “We received a distress call and the DPO of Bwari mobilized his men along with the military and swiftly repelled the miscreants in a gun duel. No one was kidnapped.

“The police are on the trail of the kidnappers.”