Suspected kidnappers have abducted seven children, a security guard and two housewives from Rachael’s Orphanage Home, in Abaji Area Council, Abuja.
The security guard identified as Joseph Mathew, and the two housewives; Rukaiyyat Salihu, and Suwaiba Momoh, were taken away on Saturday.
One of the hostages was reportedly rescued by the police, which said it was making efforts to secure the freedom of the others.
The abducted orphans are Elizabeth Andrew, Dayo Udeh, Jacob Ukpas, Melody Ijeh, Benard Itim, Issac Mathew and Laruba Emmanuel.
Police sources said the attackers forcefully entered the orphanage and whisked away their victims to an unknown location.
A resident of the area, Mohammed Nurudeen, who was shot in the thigh, explained that the gunmen abducted his wife at gunpoint and also shot him.
He said, “The men came at midnight while we were sleeping and forced me to open the door threatening to kill us if we refused to obey their orders. They shot me and took away my wife. I appeal to the security agencies and the government to assist in rescuing my wife unhurt from the gang.”
But the Federal Capital Territory command said it had launched a rescue operation for the kidnappers, assuring that the victims would be released soon.
The police spokesperson, ASP Maryam Yusuf, said, “We are working hard to rescue them and apprehend the perpetrators. Already, we have rescued one of the hostages and we want to assure that the rest would also be rescued unhurt,” she stated on Sunday
(Punch)