A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Officer, Air Commodore John Ijudigal, has reportedly foiled an attempted robbery and kidnap of two persons by a ‘one-chance’ robbers in Wuse Area of Abujà .
The officer according to Krestnews report was on his way home when the incident occurred where he used his official vehicle to block a fleeing One Chance driver and ensured the arrest of the three suspected robbers and rescued the two female victims.
A statement by the NAF Spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday in Abuja, said that the incident occurred on Feb. 14 along Accra Road, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, at about 7.28 pm.
“The statement reads: “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 number 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.
“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 Ijudigal’s official vehicle, resulting in significant damage to both cars.
The Damaged Air force Car
“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 that 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.
Gabkwet said in the statement that 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, in his office.
According to the NAF spokesperson, the commissioner of police commended AVM Ijudigal for his courage and sense of duty.
He said the intervention did not only foiled a robbery and kidnap attempt, but also helped to apprehend the suspected criminals.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, also commended Officer Ijudigal,who is Deputy Director, Logistics at the Defence Headquarters for his bravery and selfless service.