Kidnappers release more abducted Abuja residents

Seven individuals who were kidnapped from Sagwari Estate in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were released on Sunday.

The harrowing incident took place last week when a group of gunmen raided the estate, abducting 10 residents.

Tragically, the abductors had initially demanded a ransom for the release of their captives.

The situation took a dark turn when the deadline passed without the ransom payment, leading to the heartbreaking loss of three lives.

Among the victims were Talatu Salihu, a 500-level student of Library and Information Science at Bayero University Kano (BUK); Akpagher Joseph Terzungwe, a staff member of a local hotel; and 13-year-old Mitchell Ariyo.

After the tragic events, the kidnappers raised the ransom for the remaining victims and set a new deadline for compliance.

However, in a surprising development, sources within the facility reported on Sunday afternoon that the seven remaining victims, which included a female hotel receptionist, a mother, and her three children, as well as two little children, had been released to their respective family members.

While the joy of their release is evident, the families have chosen to remain in an undisclosed location, likely due to concerns for their safety.

This positive development comes in the wake of the liberation of the four remaining siblings of the late Nabeeha Al-Kadriyah, who was killed while in captivity.

The sisters, who were abducted alongside their father earlier in January, were facing an increased ransom demand from the kidnappers.

The situation had become dire after the bandits raised the ransom from N60 million to N100 million, threatening to harm the remaining sisters.

As of the latest update, the four sisters have regained their freedom and returned to their Abuja residence, where the abduction took place.

While the community grapples with the aftermath of these traumatic events, the release of the seven individuals brings a glimmer of hope to Sagwari Estate.

In a similar development, Suleiman Sabo, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) resident, was kidnapped on Friday along Airport Road in Abuja while heading home with his wife.

The gunmen intercepted his ash-coloured Lexus Jeep, opened fire, and deflated the vehicle’s tyres.

However, FCT Police Commissioner, CP Haruna Garba, announced on Sunday that Sabo had been successfully rescued by operatives from Iddo Divisional Police headquarters.

During the rescue, one suspect, Muhammed Abel, was apprehended with a rifle and ammunition recovered.

Sabo, recovering from injuries, will be reunited with his family upon medical clearance.

The police commissioner urged residents to report suspicious activities, emphasising the commitment to eliminating criminality in FCT.