Brave 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 robbery attempt by ‘one-chance’ syndicate in Wuse, Abuja.

The officer, who is the Deputy Director of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters, also rescued two female victims while ensuring the three suspected robbers were arrested.

A statement by the NAF spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday in Abuja said the incident occurred on February 14 along Accra Road, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, about 7.28 p.m.

According to him, Air Commodore Ijudigal was commuting home in his staff car after work when he noticed an Abuja-painted taxi, with registration no. BWR 232 XB, reversing at high speed, with terrified passengers inside the vehicle screaming for help.

“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. 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 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,” the statement said.

The NAF officer was said to have subsequently contacted the police and personally ensured that the three criminals were handed over to the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Benneth Igweh, at his office.

The commissioner commended the officer for his courage, saying his intervention did not only foil a robbery and kidnapping attempt but also helped to apprehend the suspected criminals.

Similarly, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has hailed Ijudigal for his bravery and selfless service.