How a lady battled kidnappers, freed co-victims in Jos

From Daniel Dauda, Jos

A Lady, named Lucy Tapnan Jeremiah has battled a deadly gang of kidnappers to aid her escape and other three-male Kidnap victims in Jos.

Lucy who was held from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State is said to be in transit alongside other passengers from Abuja to Jos on the 15th of December, 2022 and got into the hands of kidnappers around science school Kuru, Jos South LGA.

After a long-distance walk inside the bush, the victims managed to escape from the dam of the kidnappers and got rescued by the Police in Kassa, Barkin Ladi LGA as the victims are undergoing treatment.

Speaking to newsmen on the matter Monday, Police Public relations officer, Plateau State Police Command, Jos, DSP Alfred Alabo said, the command has been having several successes in regard to the issues we have here in the command, especially the issues of kidnapping and other crimes.

In his words, “Of recent due to the effective and arm pursuit being given to this Kidnappers and criminals within the Plateau the command have made several successes were been able to rescue some victims. But for now some of the victims were  not here they are receiving treatment in the hospital.

Today we have a lady who fought the kidnappers to aid her escape and other victims before she was been rescued by the police who were on hand to receive her.Currently, were giving a hot chase on those kidnappers and by the grace of God we will have something to say in regards their arrest soonest!

“At about 1600hours the team of Police operatives at Kassa forest Barkin Ladi LGA came in contact with the Kidnap victims which includes; Ismaila traveling to Borno state, Haruna traveling to Gombe state, Lucy Tapnan Jeremiah of Mangu LGA she was found unconscious with deep cut her legs.The victims were taking to hospital for treatment

“Our work is paying off because residence on the Plateau are beginning to understand the mantra that says “security is every body business and they are putting work to it.”

On measures put in place by the Police to ensure a hitch free Christmas celebration on the Plateau, the PPRO said the command has already done its posting and deployment of officers and men all over the state to have a peaceful Christmas and new year celebration. “The commissioner of police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka is living no stone unturned to ensure Plateau State is peaceful now and beyond this period”, he stated.

Narrating her ordeal, the Kidnap victim, Lucy Tapnan Jeremiah opines that,

“On that faithful day we are coming from Abuja to Jos because I have a wedding to attend, which I will also use the opportunity to spend Christmas. On reaching science school Kuru, though I was sleeping I had the car stop and when I open my eyes I saw the man standing in the door with a gun.

“The man said we should give our phones and bags. So they collected our phones and money and directed all of us to come out from the car.They selected four of us and pushed us to the bush, and said we should call our parents to bring N5million each. And immediately after the call they still pushed us deep inside the bush. They were about nine (9) of them. Some carrying guns and others with knifes, and I am the only female among the four Victims.

“Although, we did not reach where the kidnappers wanted us to go, I asked other male victims please let arrange how to escape, the boys were so afraid and said we don’t carry anything to confront the kidnappers.

“So, when some of kidnappers left to the last bus stop where they supposed to take us, they remain four of them with us and as we’re going further inside the bush other two were tired, so we left them behind and the other two with us one with a gun and the other one with knife.

“When we’re going I now told my colleagues that I am not reaching where they are taking us, and I would try my best and God will be in control. When I alerted them on how to do it, I said I would do it since they are afraid.

“So I will be the first person to grab the other one with the gun and if I do it they should come and help me out. So, immediately I rushed to the kidnapper with the gun I grabbed him he shout then the other one with the knife turn and ran to me, removed the knife and wanted to stab me in my stomach and when I turn the knife got me in my leg.”