Abuja: Police foils kidnap attempt, resident shot by gunmen

A kidnap attempt was foiled in El-Rufai Estate in the early hours of Wednesday, July 17, but not without one resident, Nathaniel, being shot by the kidnappers.

According to eyewitnesses, over 15 kidnappers stormed the estate around 2 am, firing guns indiscriminately and attempting to abduct several residents.

However, the swift response of the FCT Police Command and military personnel thwarted the kidnappers’ plans, leading to a fierce 30-minute gun duel.

Despite being outnumbered, the security agents successfully prevented the kidnappers from abducting anyone, but unfortunately, Nathaniel was shot during the chaos.

Ibrahim, a resident who witnessed the incident, told journalists that the kidnappers were unable to take anyone away but shot Nathaniel while trying to abduct him. The incident has left the residents of El-Rufai Estate shaken, but grateful for the prompt response of the security agents.

“Around 2 am on Wednesday, some kidnappers numbering about 15 came to the Elrufai Estate here. All of them were carrying guns and they were shooting non-stop.

“The kidnappers attempted to kidnap some persons. You know in this area; we have experienced a lot of kidnappings in the past but recently the police have been very active.

“Fortunately, the police came on time and they exchanged fire with those kidnappers. This lasted for about 30 minutes or so, but at the end of the day, nobody was taken away by the kidnappers.

“However, the kidnappers shot one Nathaniel. They wanted to take him away but they couldn’t,” Saliu said.

All efforts to get the reaction of the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh were futile as all calls and messages put across to her were not responded to