The family of Aondoove Gwaza, a director at the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage Bank in the Federal Capital Territory, who was abducted from his home, during an attack about 200 metres close to a military base in Pwanbara in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, have been devastated, as the bandits are yet to contact his relatives as of Thursday night.

The bandits, who struck at about 12:30 am on Thursday, shot indiscriminately, causing panic in the area, before escaping through the bushes with the abductee.

Residents who confirmed the development to our correspondent on Thursday revealed that soldiers were stationed at a military base popularly known as ‘Camp,’ which is about 200 metres away from where the director was abducted in Pambara Extension.

They further noted that residents of the area that was attacked by bandits, include military personnel, both serving and retired, and civilians.

He said, “Bandits attacked Pambara Extension over the night, at about 12:30 am today (Thursday), and they abducted one of our neighbours, Aondoove Gwaza, who is a Director in Federal Housing Authority, FCT.

“The attack happened very close to a ‘Camp,’ the military base at the entrance of Bwari, very close to Pambara Extension. The part of Pambara Extension where Gwaza was kidnapped is just about 200 metres away from the military base. But the kidnappers escaped through the bushes with the victim.”

Another resident added, “The attack is still shocking to us. Our estate is very close to the military base here known as Camp, at the entrance of Bwari, and there are also serving and retired military personnel living with us here. Yet, these bandits were bold enough to attack this place and kidnap Gwaza.”

Meanwhile, a relative who spoke with our correspondent on Thursday, lamented that the bandits had yet to contact the relatives of Gwaza as of Thursday night.

He noted, “Aondoove Gwaza is my kinsman. He was kidnapped in Bwari over the night (Thursday). Up till now, the kidnappers have not called to ask for ransom. We are very worried, but we are trusting God for his safe release.”

The FCT is facing alarming surge in insecurity, prompting growing concerns among residents and authorities. The capital city, once considered relatively immune to the prevalent security challenges in other parts of the country, is now grappling with an escalating wave of criminal activities, particularly kidnappings.

Our correspondent could not reach the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, as text messages and phone calls to his line were not answered.

Also, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comments as of press time.

Punch