Gunmen Abduct Four Residents in Abuja Community Invasion

On the night of May 1, 2024, a group of gunmen reportedly invaded the Bmuko Community in the Dutse Baupma axis of the Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The armed men kidnapped four residents, causing panic and fear among the community members.

According to Mr. Isah, a resident of the community, the gunmen arrived at around 11:50 pm and targeted the house of Engr Patrick. Among the abducted individuals were Engr Patrick’s wife and brother. This incident comes after a previous attack in January, where 22 people were kidnapped, and a 400-level student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, named Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, was killed when her father failed to pay a ransom of N60 million.

The Bwari Area Council has experienced several incidents of abduction and violence in recent months. In February, bandits abducted two teenage sisters in the Guita Community, demanding a ransom of N30 million. Additionally, a 13-year-old girl named Folashade Ariyo was kidnapped and killed alongside 10 other residents of Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse-alhaji Area.

According to eyewitnesses, the kidnappers, numbering more than 30, arrived in Zone C, Road 5 of the Bmuko Community. They fired shots into the air, creating a sense of terror, before breaking into Engr Patrick’s house and abducting two of his family members. The gunmen then split into two groups, with one heading towards the riverside that leads to Kubwa and Bwari, and the other towards the hillside. At a nearby house, they kidnapped a pastor and another young man.

Community leaders and residents expressed their concern over the lack of immediate action by security forces. Despite the presence of soldiers and police officers in the area, the kidnapped individuals have not yet been rescued. The community has been demanding the establishment of a police outpost in Bmuko to enhance security.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report, leaving the confirmation of the incident pending.

The repeated incidents of abduction and violence in the Bwari Area Council highlight the need for enhanced security measures and proactive efforts by law enforcement agencies to protect the residents. The safety and well-being of individuals living in these communities should be a top priority, and immediate action should be taken to ensure their security.

It is crucial for the relevant authorities to address the security challenges in the Bwari Area Council and work towards implementing effective strategies to prevent further incidents of violence and abduction. The community members deserve to live in peace and security, free from the constant threat of criminal activities.