The Police in Abuja has debunked reports claiming that terrorists attacked and kidnapped residents of a housing estate in the Gwarinpa area of the city in the wee hours of Monday.
However, in a statement, the Police noted that a robbery attack did take place in the estate, but it was repelled by security operatives, following a distress call from the residents.
Recall that a group of armed men, suspected to be armed robbers, had invaded the Genuine Housing Estate located at the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory on Monday morning.
Confirming the incident, Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said the robbers took to their heels on sighting a police team, which gave them a hot chase, forcing them to abandon some stolen items, including cell phones and laptops.
The statement read: “The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to news making the rounds in some sections of the media space alleging erroneously that terrorists had attacked an estate in Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, and abducted the residents.
“The Command wishes to set the records straight by sayng that on June 6, 2022, a distress call was received from Queens Efab Estate, Kasana, Galadima Area that there was an ongoing armed robbery operation. Operatives of the Command attached to Galadima Divisional Headquarters swiftly responded and upon arrival at the Estate, the robbers took to their heels.
“The gallant operatives however gave them a chase which led to them abandoning some items they had already stolen, including some cell phones and laptops.
“It is disheartening to discover that some news platforms chose to trend a false narrative online without following the ethics and standards of balanced reportage, thereby inundating the public with false, imaginary and spurious account of what actually transpired.
“The Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, however gave the residents of the city the assurance that the Command is committed to the safety of their lives and property and ready to respond swiftly to all distress calls.
“In addition to the above, members of the public are urged to remain vigilant, strengthen their partnership with the Police as touching the rendition of prompt and actionable intelligence, reporting any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883, while the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) desk, can be reached on 0902 222 2352.”
