NAF officer foils ‘one chance’ robbery, rescues victims in Abuja

A serving officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore John Ijudigal, has foiled a ‘one-chance’ robbery and kidnap attempt in Wuse, Abuja. 

A statement by the NAF Spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday, February 17, says the incident occurred on Feb. 14 along Accra Road, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, at about 7.28 pm. He stated that the officer ensured the arrest of the three  suspected robbers and the rescue of the two female victims.

“As the senior officer was commuting home in his staff car after work, he suddenly came across a distressing scene. Air Commodore Ijudigal saw an Abuja-painted taxi, a Mazda 323, with registration BWR 232 XB, reversing on high speed, with terrified passengers inside screaming for help. In pursuit of the taxi was a black Toyota Land Cruiser. I

nstinctively, Ijudigal immediately joined in the pursuit by using his official vehicle to block the escape route of the criminals. The driver of the ‘one-chance’ vehicle, in a state of panic, then collided with Air Commodore Idjudigal’s official vehicle, resulting in significant damage to both cars.

The impact caused the ‘one-chance’ vehicle to skid into a nearby garden. Following the collision, Air Commodore Ijudigal promptly exited his vehicle and chased after one of the occupants of the ‘one-chance’ taxi, who had fled into a nearby bush.

With the assistance of onlookers gathered at the accident scene, the driver of the ‘one-chance’ vehicle, along with two other suspects, a male and a female, were apprehended while two female victims were rescued,” he said.

Gabkwet said the senior officer subsequently contacted the police and personally ensured that the three criminals were handed over to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Benneth Igweh, at his office. According to Gabkwet, the commissioner of police commended the officer for his courage.

He said the intervention did not only foil a robbery and kidnapping attempt, but also helped to apprehend the suspected criminals.

Similarly, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan AbAbubakar, hailed Ijudigal for his bravery and selfless service. Air Commodore Ijudigal is the Deputy Director of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters.