Breaking: Police thwart kidnap attempt in Abuja

Chaos erupted in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as kidnappers stormed El-Rufai Estate.

On Wednesday, July 17, a resident of El-Rufai Estate, identified only as Nathaniel, sustained gunshot wounds during a thwarted kidnapping attempt.

According to eyewitness accounts, a large group of kidnappers, estimated to be over fifteen in number, launched a brazen attack on the El-Rufai Estate in the early hours of Wednesday, around 2 am, firing their weapons recklessly and indiscriminately.

It was gathered that the kidnappers had attempted to abduct many residents before their operation was thwarted by the combined operatives of the FCT Police Command and military personnel.

A resident who identified himself as Ibrahim told THE NATION that security agents 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 while trying to abduct him.

“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,” Saliu said.

Despite numerous attempts to reach her, SP Josephine Adeh, the Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police, did not respond to calls or messages.