A group of heavily armed kidnappers stormed the Grow Homes Estate located in the Chikakore axis of Kubwa, Abuja’s largest suburban town, during the early hours of yesterday morning. The terrifying incident, which occurred between midnight and 1:30 a.m., saw the assailants hold residents hostage for over an hour while engaging in sporadic gunfire.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attackers were not only well-armed but also highly organized. One of the residents, speaking under the condition of anonymity, reported seeing a man and a woman being taken away by the kidnappers.
However, by daybreak, the female victim was found within the estate premises, having been released by the kidnappers for reasons that remain unclear. There is still uncertainty about the exact number of individuals abducted during the ordeal.
“The incident started around 12 midnight,” the resident recounted. “These guys came with serious firepower. They overpowered our local vigilance group with ease. The Police arrived around 1 a.m., and there was a fierce gunfight that lasted for about 30 minutes. But by then, the kidnappers had already taken some people.”
The resident also used the opportunity to call on the government and relevant authorities to urgently intervene by improving security infrastructure in the area. “We are pleading with the government to fix the road leading into our estate.
It’s in a terrible state and makes it very difficult for security patrol vehicles to access the area quickly during emergencies. We also appeal to the FCT Administration and the Police to establish a permanent Police station here. The nearest station is too far, and response time is slow.”
In response to the incident, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed that its anti-kidnapping squad, working in conjunction with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, successfully rescued one of the two individuals abducted during the attack.
According to a statement released by the command, the rescue operation took place within hours of the abduction, as part of a coordinated effort between security agencies.
The Police further assured residents that a full-scale search and rescue operation has been launched to locate the remaining victim. Efforts are also ongoing to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The attack is the latest in a disturbing trend of kidnappings and armed invasions in the outskirts of Abuja, prompting increased calls for improved security measures and community policing initiatives in vulnerable areas.
As residents reel from the traumatic experience, there is a growing sense of urgency for authorities to address the root causes of insecurity and ensure the safety of lives and property within the capital territory’s suburban communities.