Gunmen Abduct Pastor And Three Others In Abuja Community

Gunmen suspected of kidnapping have abducted four people in the Bmuko hamlet, Dutse Baupma axis of the Bwari area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It was reported that approximately 30 gunmen stormed the community on Monday night, April 29, 2024.

Mr Isah, a resident of the hamlet, informed reporters that the invasion began about 11.50 p.m. in the home of Engineer Patrick, whose wife and brother were among those seized.

According to him, the kidnappers, who numbered more than 30, assaulted Zone C, Road 5 of the neighbourhood and shot intermittently in the air before breaking into the engineer’s house and abducting two members of his family.

“From the engineer’s house, after carrying his wife and brother, they divided themselves into two groups. One group went towards the riverside that leads to Kubwa and Bwari, while the other group went towards the hillside.

“It was the group going towards the hillside that stopped at a nearby house, where they kidnapped a Pastor and another young man. We could not do anything, we were scared to death during the period of the operation,” he said.

One of the community leaders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that they heard gunshots about midnight, and that this was when one of the area’s landlords sent them a voice note on their platform informing them that they were being attacked.

“Swiftly, our security personnel came down, we had to make calls to the FCDA Police station, luckily we had intervention from them, and soldiers also came to our rescue. However, the whole thing turned into something else, as nobody was arrested,” the community said.

“But the kidnappers went with three or four people. As we speak, the soldiers who went in search of them have returned without rescuing them. The policemen are still in the bush searching for them.

“We have been demanding for Police outpost here in the Bmuko community, this is a populated environment. Whatever is happening here is not out of the knowledge of the security architecture of the FCT.”

He emphasised that having the police patrol at least three to four times per week will establish their presence in the community.

“The people will also be guided both in information and movement. We trust that those kidnapped will be rescued safely. They have not contacted anybody yet. We are seriously praying for their safety.

“The wife and brother of one Engineer Patrick were also among the people that were kidnapped, and also a Pastor. The kidnappers came with AK47 because some of the guys during the night search, picked up about two or three bullets of AK47,” he added.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli