Abducted Abuja Naval Officer, Others Found in Nasarawa Forest
Rescue Mission
Navy Lieutenant Cynthia E. Akor, who was abducted by gunmen on Friday evening in Mpape, an Abuja suburb, has been rescued in a forest in Nasarawa state, the police disclosed on Sunday in Abuja. Akor was abducted by some gunmen at about 7pm while driving back from work in a Toyota saloon car with another passenger.
Rescue Operation
The rescue was effected by a joint taskforce comprising the military and officers of the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Federal Capital Territory of the Nigeria Police Force. Operatives of the State Security Services, SSS, hunters, and local vigilantes were also part of the rescue mission in Nasarawa state.
Kidnappers’ Demands
The kidnappers, according to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, operations in charge of the FCT command, DCP Isyaku Sharu, contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N500 million for the naval officer and N200 million each for the two civilians. However, the rescue mission was successful, and the victims were rescued at a settlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, between 2am and 5:30 am on Sunday.
Arrests and Recovery
Four suspects have been arrested, and a sum of N3.5 million suspected to be ransom from previous kidnapping operations was recovered from the suspects. The victims are currently in stable condition and receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Army Clinic, Abuja.
Security Deployment
The Deputy Commissioner of Police has urged members of the public to go about their daily activities without any apprehension, as security deployment has been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences. He also urged residents of the FCT to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police emergency numbers.
NAPTIP Rescues Trafficked Victims
In a separate development, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has rescued seven young women believed to be victims of human trafficking after it raided a popular hotel in Zamaru, a few kilometres from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Rescue Mission
The operation, which followed a tip-off, also led to the arrest of the hotel manager, who is currently being interrogated for allegedly harbouring the victims. The hotel had been under surveillance after concerned persons raised alarm over the unusual movement of young girls and strange-looking men within the premises, signs that pointed to the presence of a trafficking ring.
Victims’ Profiles
A preliminary profiling of the rescued victims revealed that six of them were recruited from Lagos, while one hails from Delta State. They were allegedly lured with promises of "well-paying caregiving jobs in Iraq but later discovered they were being trafficked." One of the victims tearfully recounted, "They told me that I will do a house help job in Baghdad and I will receive good salary every month. I believed them because I think say Baghdad is in another country. Them no tell me say I dey go work for Iraq."
Conclusion
The successful rescue of the abducted Abuja naval officer and the victims of human trafficking is a testament to the effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the determination of the authorities to combat kidnapping and human trafficking. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police emergency numbers.
FAQs
- How was the abducted Abuja naval officer rescued?
The naval officer was rescued in a forest in Nasarawa state, following a joint taskforce operation by the military, police, and other security agencies. - How many suspects were arrested?
Four suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping operation. - How much ransom was demanded by the kidnappers?
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N500 million for the naval officer and N200 million each for the two civilians. - How many victims of human trafficking were rescued?
Seven young women were rescued by NAPTIP after a raid on a popular hotel in Abuja.
Source: theabujainquirer.com
