The FCT Police Command has confirmed the abduction of nine residents and a pastor by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at the Grow Homes Estate, along Kuchibiyi in the Kubuwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, on Friday night.
It was gathered that the gunmen, numbering over 20, invaded the estate around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, opposite Champions Church, and shot randomly before escaping with several victims.
According to the residents, the victims included a pastor, his wife, and three children, totaling 15 during the one-hour attack.
The FCT command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, adding that the police and the estate security are combing the bushes in the area to ensure the victims are rescued.
“Upon receipt of the distress call, we immediately deployed our men to the scene. The suspects, however, abruptly suspended their operations and took some victims with them into the bush.
“Operatives of the Police and the estate security are still combing the bushes in the area to ensure they are rescued unhurt.”
She appealed to the residents of the area not to panic, stressing that they should assist the police with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the assailants.
“We urge the residents to remain calm and assist with useful information that could lead to the swift arrest of these criminals,” Adeh said.
According to a resident, identified as Hassan, the victims were abducted from two separate apartments in the estate, explaining that the incident had caused panic in the community.
“Yesterday, at about 11:30 p.m., some gunmen in their large numbers came to carry out an operation at Grow Homes estate along Kuchibiyi. We heard the sounds of gunshots; there was panic in the entire community as a result of the incident.
“This morning, we went to the estate, and we learned those gunmen were about 20. They moved from one apartment to another, dispossessing their belongings. They also kidnapped at least nine people, including children and women, from two apartments in the estate.
“They escaped through the bush, which linked the community to Paze village. The police and the estate security have been searching the bush since morning to see if they can rescue the kidnapped residents.” He said.
Police operatives from the Byzahin Division and the Kubwa Area Command were at the scene of the incident on Saturday morning for preliminary findings and interrogated some of the victims.
