Insecurity worsens: Kidnappers kill police inspector during exchange of gunfire in Abuja

The lingering insecurity in Nigeria, essentially, kidnapping has been worsened to the extent that kidnappers have taken their trade to the heart of the city of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Unfortunately, security operatives are becoming victims of the kidnappers.

Sadly, an Inspector of the FCT Police Command, Ambi John, was killed by kidnappers on Tuesday during exchange of gunfire in an interventionist operation  to repel some kidnappers on the Dankusa, Angwan-Zegele-Zuba corridor, satellite towns of Abuja.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, in a statement on Tuesday indicated that the Inspector died while receiving treatment in the hospital.

He said that the police had received distress call from Angwan Zegele, but lamented that Inspector John, attached to Operation Puff Adder, unfortunately sustained fatal gunshot injuries during the operation.

ASP Mariam highlighted: “Following a distress call from Angwan Zegele, a joint team of Police Operatives from the Command and Operation Puff Adder responded promptly as they engaged the heavily armed hoodlums in a fierce gun battle.

“Unfortunately, one of the gallant officers. one Inspector Ambi John, attached to Operation Puff Adder, sustained fatal gunshot injuries during the operation and was rushed to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment.”

The PPRO maintained that the FCT Command has launched a strategic operation to rescue the four kidnapped victims.

It was highlighted that the victims were kidnapped from Dankusa and are still in the captivity of the kidnappers who were said to have escaped into the forest bordering the FCT and Niger State.

The PPRO stated: “Nonetheless, Operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad have made some arrests in connection with the abduction.

“In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma, wishes to commiserate with the family of the officer who paid the supreme price in service to the Nation and ensure that all the victims are safely reunited with their families.”

The CP reassured FCT residents of the Command’s undeterred resolve to secure of lives and property within Abuja.

He enjoined residents to report all suspicious movements, emergency or distress, through these numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883, to report the conduct of Police Officers, or call the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) number – 09022222352.