A peaceful Abuja community lies shattered after armed assailants launched a brazen kidnapping raid, snatching four residents in the dead of night.
The attack unfolded on Monday night in the Bmuko community, located within the Dutse Baupma neighborhood of Bwari Area Council. Residents reported that a large group of armed men, estimated around 30, arrived around 11:50 p.m. local time. They also reported a hail of gunfire erupting before the attackers descended upon specific houses.
Mr. Isah, a resident, recounted the targeted nature of the assault, suggesting the gunmen knew exactly who they were after. They stormed homes and abducted four individuals, including a pastor.
The attack has left a trail of fear in Bmuko residents who are demanding a more robust security presence, including a dedicated police outpost. Another resident who spoke to Vanguard on anonymity stressed the urgent need for regular patrols, which could deter future attacks and provide a sense of safety for the community.
Security forces, including soldiers and police, have been mobilized to locate the victims. “The soldiers who went in search of them have returned without rescuing them,” said a resident to Vanguard. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the security threats that persist across Nigeria, even in the nation’s capital.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
