By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Miscreants today attacked and injured some police officers while holding hostage some members of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Taskforce team at Gaduwa District of Abuja.
The injured Police officer and the attacked persons were said to have been rushed to hospitals, while the officials taken hostage were later released, following a rapid response from the rescue team of FCT Police Command , led by Deputy Commissioner of Police for Operations, Bernard Igwe.
Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, confirmed the incident of attacks.
According to Attah some officials of the Development Control attached to the Taskforce, who went to Gaduwa Community to mark for demolition some illegal houses springing up indiscriminately in the community, were heavily resisted and attacked by some persons with different dangerous weapons.
While he commended some indigenous youths who helped in calming the situation and work towarda the release of the hostages, he also noted that, but for the quick intervention of the re-enforced rescue team, the miscreants would have unleashed more mayhem on the team.
” I was sent somewhere by the Minister and before I could I arrive the scene the Police officer who was badly injured on the head and others had been rushed to hospital.”
” Those who were held hostage were rescued by rescue team led by DC Bernard Igwe. The area where the indigenous people stay was not marked. The Police will determine what happens to those who were arrested “.
Leader of the Development control officials, who was one of the officials that were held hostage Kalu Amadi, said it was horrific and a near death experience for him and would take some time for him to overcome the psychological trauma.
A youth who spoke on condition of anonymity said there are few houses owned by some indigenes in the areas marked illegal expansion within the community.
He noted that the place is largely occupied by non indigenous people whom he pleaded should be allowed to live with them.
He also explained that a man and lady who sustained injury in the conflict have also been rushed to the hospital.
