By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued four people abducted by suspected kidnappers after a gun battle in the Jikoko Hills area of Abuja.
The victims were kidnapped on Wednesday night during an attack on the Yellow House area of Mpape, where gunmen reportedly invaded the community at about 10:40 p.m.
A statement on Friday by the Police command says the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi immediately deployed operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Katampe and Mpape Divisions, and the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.
The statement by the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, says the attackers shot two residents before fleeing with four hostages through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest.
One of the injured victims, identified only as Babangida, later died in hospital, while the second victim is receiving treatment for a gunshot wound.
Police operatives tracked the kidnappers for two days before locating them in the early hours of Friday around Jikoko Hills.
The suspects opened fire on the advancing officers, triggering a gun battle.
The police said the operatives overpowered the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee into the surrounding forest.
All four victims were rescued unharmed, evacuated from the forest and reunited with their families.
The FCT Police Command said security operatives are continuing the manhunt for the fleeing suspects and vowed to bring everyone involved in the attack to justice.
The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines.
