The Federal Capital Territory Police Command and operatives of the Department of State Services have killed a suspected kidnapper during a gun battle in Pegi community in the Kuje area council of Abuja.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, on Monday, said the clash occurred when the security operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in the area.
She said the kidnappers were overpowered by the operatives, forcing the hoodlums to release their victims.
Adeh, in a statement, noted that seven victims were rescued.
“The police and the Department of State Services invaded a kidnappers’ hideout in the area, which led to a gun battle between them and the kidnappers. They fled when they could not match the firepower of the police and the DSS.
“One of them was shot, another was killed and many of them ran with gunshot injuries. We were able to rescue seven victims. The sum of N47,000 was recovered. One iPhone, one AK-47 rifle, 15 AK magazines, military camouflage, six mobile phones, hard drugs and charms were also recovered,” she added.
Meanwhile, the wife and daughters of an Abuja-based pastor who were abducted by hoodlums recently have regained their freedom.
It had been earlier reported that gunmen stormed the pastor’s house in Pegi community in the Kuje area council of Abuja and abducted the victims.
The cleric, Pastor Gabriel Oladapo, was away when the attack happened on September 4.
The hoodlums later demanded N50m ransom for their release.
A leader in the community, who did not want his name in print, said the victims had been released.
According to the source, the pastor paid an undisclosed amount of money, but the kidnappers changed their mind and released only one of the victims.
“They initially agreed to free all of them with the said amount, but changed their mind after they received the money. They demanded that more money should be brought to release the other two.
“The following day, the police and other security operatives invaded their camp. They rescued the remaining two family members and other five victims. It was a gun battle.
“For now, he has left the community. He said he doesn’t want the trauma to affect his daughters and wife.
“I can’t say if that is permanent or not. He just told me that he was leaving for the moment,” the source added.
Oladapo confirmed to newsmen that his wife and daughters had been released and declined further comment.
