NAF Officer Foils ‘One-Chance’ Robbery, Rescues Victims

Air Commodore John Ijudigal, a serving member of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has stopped a “one-chance” robbery and kidnapping attempt in Wuse, Abuja.

According to a statement released on Saturday, February 17, by AVM Edward Gabkwet, the NAF Spokesman, the incident happened on February 14 at approximately 7:28 p.m. along Accra Road in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. He claimed that the cop made sure the two female victims were rescued and the three alleged thieves were arrested.

“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 at high speed, with terrified passengers inside screaming for help. In pursuit of the taxi was a black Toyota Land Cruiser.

Read Also: Kidnapping Gang Member, Four One-Chance Robbers Arrested

“Instinctively, 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.

According to Gabkwet, the senior officer then got in touch with the police and made sure that the three offenders were delivered to the office of the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Benneth Igweh. The police commissioner praised the officer for his bravery, according to Gabkwet.

He said that in addition to thwarting a robbery and kidnapping attempt, the intervention assisted in the capture of the alleged offenders.

In the same vein, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, praised Ijudigal for his valour and selfless devotion. At Defence Headquarters, Air Commodore Ijudigal serves as the Deputy Director of Logistics.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli