Operatives launch manhunt as gunmen demand N100m for abducted naval officer, others

FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh

Security operatives have commenced a rescue operation for a kidnapped official of the Defence Headquarters, Lt. Cynthia Akor, and two others in the Federal Capital Territory.

Sunday PUNCH had earlier reported that gunmen abducted Akor, a Nigerian Navy officer attached to the Defence Headquarters, along with two others.

The victims were kidnapped from their residence in the Mpape area of the FCT on Friday night.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told our correspondent on Saturday that the kidnappers had contacted the families of the hostages, demanding a N100m ransom for their release.

“About three people were kidnapped on Friday night in the Mpape area. A DHQ official, Akor, was among them. The kidnappers have already reached out to their families and are demanding N100m ransom,” the source said.

Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye; and the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful, as they had yet to respond to messages as of the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said she would confirm the incident and provide further details.

“I will confirm and get back to you shortly,” she simply stated.

She had yet to get back as of the time of filing this report.

However, a security source told our correspondent that security operatives, comprising police officers and troops, had launched an operation to rescue the victims.

“The operation to rescue her and others has started and is ongoing. Police and soldiers are already on it,” the source said.