Still smarting from the release of seven orphans and others after the payment of an unspecified sum as ransom, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has again launched a manhunt for the kidnappers who abducted Mr. Okechukwu Nnodim, a journalist with The Punch newspaper in Abuja.
It was gathered that the journalist who covers the business beat was kidnapped together with two children of his neighbour, a teenager and another in his early 20s. One of them was picked in his boxers shorts.
They were abducted at an isolated part of Byzahin community, a suburb of the nation’s capital city, between Kubwa and Bwari axis in Abuja.
A security source told PRNigeria that the unknown gunmen gained access to the resident by jumping his fence after firing several gunshots in the air.
“The gunmen broke into the room through the window before whisking their victims away in the difficult terrain.
“The FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Ciroma and his men, have already visited the community for an on-the-spot preliminary investigation into the incident,” the source added.
Another source said the abductors have demanded for ransom, amid information that the reporter offered some of his assets to save his family, but the kidnappers rebuffed him, tied his hands and took him away.
Painfully, the reporter just arrived days ago after burying a close relative, a second loss within 10 months.
Recall that Sunday, gunmen set free seven orphans and other kidnapped from an orphanage in Naharati area of Abaji town, about 100 kilometers from the Abuja city centre.
Nnodim of the Punch was picked about 30 kilometers from the city.
About two weeks ago, gunmen stormed the orphanage in Abaji picking the orphans and two of their handlers and and other adults in the neighbourhood.
On releasing the orphans and others, the woman who delivered the ransom was abducted, reports say.
▪︎ Additional reports by PRNigeria
