Residents of Dawaki, near Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been abducted in a recent bandit raid. According to sources, 20 individuals were kidnapped during the incident, which has caused significant tension in the area.

The attackers reportedly targeted homes on Frank Opara Street before security forces could respond to distress calls. Tunde Abdulrahim, Chairman of Dawaki Rock Heaven Community, reported that the attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. He stated that approximately 50 heavily armed bandits, including both men and women, invaded the community and broke into six houses.

FCT police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said Commissioner of Police Benneth Igweh led the police response and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle. "In an immediate and strategic response to a distress call on the attack by unknown gunmen in Dawaki on May 19, 2024, at about 11:30 p.m., the operatives of the FCT Police Command, led by Igweh himself, swiftly mobilized to the scene," Adeh reported.

"The police, in coordination with local hunters, advanced on the assailants, tactically ambushing them at Ushafa Hill via Bwari and Shishipe Hills via Mpape. This led to a fierce gun duel. Overwhelmed by the operatives' firepower, the hoodlums fled with various degrees of bullet injuries, and the victims were rescued. While one of the rescued victims remains in the hospital receiving medical attention, the Commissioner of Police reaffirms the Command’s steadfast dedication to maintaining peace and security in the Territory. Search operations are ongoing to rescue other hostages who fled during the shootout," Adeh added.

Earlier, Daily Trust reported that bandits abducted five people from Shagari Quarters, Dei-Dei in the FCT on Sunday morning. Vigilante sources revealed that the attackers arrived around noon and targeted the compound of a senior customs officer, abducting his wife, three children, and a younger brother. They spent over two hours before moving to the neighboring Dakwa community, where an attempt to attack houses was thwarted by a fierce exchange of fire with security personnel, forcing the bandits to withdraw, according to the Chief of Dakwa, Alhassan Musa Babachukuri.

The traditional ruler lamented that the bandits have established a base behind Zuma Rock in Chachi community near Dakwa in neighboring Niger State, which connects to forests around Bwari. He urged the government to take serious action against the bandits to prevent further escalation of their activities.