The Nigeria Police Force has announced an escalation of efforts in planning to rescue the five young girls who were abducted in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

The force also said plans were ongoing to prevent further kidnapping cases across the country.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, said the development was coming after one of the girls identified as Najeebah was reportedly killed by gunmen who abducted her and five other sisters in Abuja.

The six siblings were abducted on January 9, alongside their father.

The abductors demanded N60m ransom.

“The hoodlums reportedly killed the oldest of the six girls, Najeebah, and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury as they were unable to raise the money,” the statement lamented.

According to Adejobi, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the upscaling of tactical intelligence teams in the fight against kidnapping.

The statement explained that the sensitivity of the situation necessitates discretion, and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.

The NPF, the statement stated, was actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation, pointing out that the objective was not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity.