*As kidnappers abduct 4 including a retired assistant comptroller of Nigeria Immigration
*Operate for 3 hours unchallenged
*Kidnapped journalist regains freedom after 3 days in captivity
By Doris Igwe
More Nigerians have been kidnapped by criminals in Abuja – The kidnappers, according to report operated for about three hours during their operation – In fact, a retired assistant comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) was among the victims In what will continue to depress many Nigerians, kidnappers have turned themselves into kings in the country.
The criminals stormed the federal capital territory to kidnap about four persons. The Cable, quoting a source, wrote that the kidnappers operated for three hours, from 12 am to 3 am on Sunday. Going further, the news outlet reports that the attackers were said to have been dressed in military uniform and broke into the two houses through the fence and window.
Kidnappers on Sunday abducted four more persons in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following an attack in Tungan Maje town in Gwagwalada area council, about 35kms from the capital city.
According to sources the kidnappers operated for three hours, from 12 am to 3 am on Sunday unchallenged. Among those identified to have been abducted was Abdulahi Idris Rakieu, a retired assistant comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) who was reportedly taken alongside two members of his family. Also kidnapped in the midnight attack was one Olusola Agun.
The attackers were said to have been dressed in military uniform and broke into the two houses through the fence and window. The attack is the latest in a growing trend across the FCT in which residents are abducted in incessant attacks and released after paying huge ransoms.
Last Wednesday, kidnappers struck in Kubwa area of Abuja, abducting three persons including Okechukwu Nnodim, a journalist with Punch newspapers. Twenty-four hours after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the journalist’s sister and asked for a ransom of N10 million.
He regained freedom and reunited with his family on Saturday night. The journalist was released alongside two young men, who were also kidnapped by the criminals. Nnodim and his fellow captives were released around 11 pm on Saturday night after spending three harrowing nights in captivity.
It is uncertain if any ransom was eventually paid but the kidnappers had earlier reduced their demand of N10 million to N5million to release him.
Also about two weeks ago kidnapper attacked an orphanage in the nation’s capital in the cover of darkness, kidnapping seven children
The increased spate of kidnapping in the The Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) is causing a lot of apprehension among residents as the capital city has now become a major kidnapping zone, even in broad day light and the heavy security presence in the city as the seat of the federal government of Nigerian.
