Police intensify search for 17 abducted Abuja residents

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has said its operatives are still searching for the 17 Abuja residents alleged to have been kidnapped on Tuesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer 2, Omotayo Oduniyi, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, said the incident was unique because one of the victims, Ameerah Sufyan, shared information on her whereabouts on social media.

Our correspondent had reported that Sufyan raised the alarm on Twitter after the alleged kidnap, which involved 17 people, including three pregnant women and two children.

In a series of tweets, Sufyan alleged that she and the other victims were abducted at gunpoint from different parts of Abuja by men in police uniform and driven off in a van and later separated into two groups.

The police spokesman said, “Although there was no formal report of any abduction or kidnap in the FCT on Tuesday, reports from many online sources tagged the case as an alleged kidnap. This would have to be one of the most unique incidents of its kind. That a victim has access to her phone to post useful information about her whereabouts remains unconventional. It is, however, yet a beam of hope for all, including the police.

“Upon the receipt of the information, the FCT Police Command drafted the tactical and intelligence unit in a bid to rescue all involved, and get to the root of the matter.

“Investigations concerning the case are ongoing as discoveries are looking promising. Contact is still maintained with the family of the victim, who informed the public about it, and that is helping us to speed up investigation.” (The PUNCH)