One killed as police rescue 58 kidnap victims in Kogi forest

The police command in the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja and local security outfits have rescued 58 kidnap victims from their abductors.

In a statement on Sunday, Josephine Adeh, the police spokesperson, said the victims were rescued at Udulu forest, Gegu LGA of Kogi, bordering Sardauna forest, Nasarawa state.

Adeh said some victims were also rescued from other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the FCT.

The spokesperson said during the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged the security team coordinated by the police, in a shootout duel.

“The bandits were overpowered and escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries leaving behind their victims,” she said.

Adeh said one of the kidnap victims, Tama Jonathan, sustained injury during the rescue operation and died on the spot.

She said the remains of the victim had been released to his family for burial.

She said the other rescued victims were being stabilised in the hospital and would be reunited with their families.

Adeh said the rescue operation was part of efforts by the command to sustain joint operations with other security agencies, vigilantes and hunters from the various local communities.

She added that Haruna Garba, commissioner of police in charge of the FCT, called on residents to be security conscious and provide credible information to security agencies.