A resident who was abducted during a brazen early morning attack on Grow Homes Estate in the Chikakore axis of Kubwa, Abuja, has regained his freedom, credible sources confirmed on Tuesday.
The victim was freed following a coordinated effort by security operatives, alongside an undisclosed ransom reportedly paid by his family. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, had thrown the quiet suburban estate into panic and fear.
IREPORT247NEWS had earlier reported that a group of heavily armed kidnappers stormed the estate at around 1:00 a.m. on Monday. Residents described the attackers as well-coordinated and heavily armed. The criminals reportedly moved from house to house, holding multiple residents hostage for over an hour during the operation.
Security sources said the estate’s location, within the growing residential area of Kubwa — Abuja’s largest suburban district — made it vulnerable to such incursions due to relatively limited security infrastructure.
Distress calls from terrified residents prompted a swift response from operatives of the Nigeria Police Force. Upon arriving at the scene, police officers engaged the kidnappers in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Although the security forces were able to limit the damage and loss, the attackers succeeded in abducting two people — a man and a woman — amidst the chaos.
However, in the course of their escape, the female victim reportedly fell into a ditch. The kidnappers, aware that any gunshot could reveal their exact location to pursuing officers, opted to abandon the woman to avoid further confrontation. She was later rescued unharmed.
In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the attack and assured the public that a joint operation involving the police and the Nigerian Army had been launched to track down the perpetrators.
Sources close to the abducted man’s family revealed that, despite the ongoing security operation, the kidnappers demanded a ransom. Out of concern for the victim’s safety and under immense emotional pressure, the family complied, paying an undisclosed amount to secure his release.
Reports indicate that the pressure mounted by the combined forces of the Police and Army, who had already picked up the trail of the kidnappers, contributed significantly to the decision by the criminals to quickly release their captive after receiving the ransom.
The police command has reiterated its commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and restoring security to Kubwa and its environs. Investigations are ongoing, and security presence has been intensified across estates in the region.
Residents have expressed concerns over the rising spate of insecurity in and around Abuja’s outskirts, calling on authorities to bolster surveillance, enhance estate security infrastructure, and increase police patrols.