The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Tuesday refuted the abduction of 15 people in Abuja.
It was earlier reported that gunmen kidnapped an FCTA staffer and 14 others around 11:30pm on Sunday, at 1,000 Estate, along Pegi Community, Kuje Area Council.
The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically during the attack on the estate taking some persons, who were returning from the city at that time with them.
Chairman, Pegi Residents Association, Taiwo Aderibigbe, said among the persons abducted was a staff of the FCT Department of Development Control under Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).
“Gunmen abducted 15 persons along the abandoned 14 kilometres Pegi road, out of those kidnapped is one Shuaibu Misa, a staff with the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“We also observed that a husband of the woman who sells second hand clothes at the main entrance to the estate was among the people kidnapped while they were returning from work.”
“The kidnappers have not contacted the families of those abducted at the moment, but we are still trying to identify other residents abducted.”
Reacting to the abduction, Mukhtar Galadima, Director FCT Department of Development Control, said: “Yes, it is true. One of our drivers by name Shuaibu Misa, was kidnapped and he has not been released.”
However, a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said: “After an extensive investigation, including intelligence-led information gathering, the Police have found no evidence of such an incident.
“This is further supported by the fact that no victims or families of victims have come forward with any information or evidence of a kidnapping.
“The Police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens and urge anyone with any information related to the alleged incident to come forward for necessary action.”