ICYMI: Gunmen kidnap seven children from Abuja orphanage

Gunmen, on Saturday, abducted eight persons from Rachael Orphanage Home in Abaji area council of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Seven kids — Elizabeth Andrew, Dayo Udeh, Jacob Ukpas, Melody Ijeh, Benard Itim, Issac Mathew and Laruba Emmanuel– , and a security guard, Joseph Mathew, who worked at the orphanage were reportedly kidnapped by the gunmen.

Three other residents of the area – Rukayyat Salihu, Suwaiba Momoh, and Momoh Jimoh – were also reportedly abducted.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the orphanage around 1am.

They reportedly gained entrance by forcing the main gate of the orphanage open, and went straight to the rooms that housed the kids.

Confirming the incident, the FCT police command said it has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

Mariam Yusuf, police public relations officer, said more police operatives have been deployed to ensure that the kids are rescued safely.

“All the persons kidnapped, including the children, all of them are eight,” she said.

“However, we were able to rescue one person and effort is still ongoing to rescue the others.

“As I speak, we have made heavy deployment already in place. We have also made an additional deployment to ensure that we rescue and reunite the children with their handlers.”