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Armed kidnappers invaded Malali, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis at the weekend and abducted seven persons, carting away huge sums of money.
Following the incident, residents of Narayi Community have sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to the police to assist them over threats by kidnappers who stormed the community on Thursday, promising to come back again.
A statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yakubu Sabo, revealed that Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Malali reported the incident on August 23, 2019.
Sabo said the DPO received a distress call that “armed men in military uniform blocked the access road to Babatunde Fashola Housing Estate at Danbushiya Village on the outskirts of Kaduna, intercepted a Honda Accord marked LND 753 AL and five other vehicles, kidnapping seven persons.
“Patrol team within the Metropolis led by the DPO were mobilised to the scene of the incident, but the hoodlums had escaped with the victims before they arrived.”
However, Sabo pointed out that due to constant patrol of the area, two of the victims were released, adding that the two victims and their vehicles were recovered and taken to the police station.
“Upon thorough search, $10,000 and N647, 300 were recovered from one of the vehicles.
“Combined teams of Policemen Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Vigilante were also dispatched to the scene for Search Operation with a view to arresting the perpetrators and rescue the remaining five victims.
“The IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) was also contacted for technical support in tracking the hoodlums,” he stated.
While urging the people to remain calm and go about their normal businesses, Sabo said: “The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ali A. Janga has assured the people that the incident will not deter the command from its determination to win the war against crime and, therefore, ask for continued support.”
Meanwhile, commenting on the threats by kidnappers who told the people of Narayi that they would stage a come back, Sabo enjoined journalists to report such incidents in a professional manner.
“What is needed is for the police to be proactive to prevent the crime. As crime reporters, we should differentiate what requires police balancing and what does not.
“Journalists should be able to differentiate what ought to be a private chat and what is for general public. I have already noted the intelligence report and action is being taken. Let us be mindful of national security when we report issues,” he said.