Crime
FCT: 7 Family Members Kidnapped, 1 Killed, Police Injured In Bandits’ Attack
In the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a group of bandits carried out a disturbing attack, kidnapping seven members of a family.
During this heinous act, two policemen sustained bullet injuries.
Tragically, a middle-aged man known as Alhaji, who courageously led the police in an attempt to thwart the abduction, lost his life in the encounter with the bandits.
This incident is part of a concerning trend in the region, as bandits have been increasingly targeting villages within the Bwari Area Council.
Residents have faced the harrowing reality of abductions and even fatalities due to these repeated incursions by the bandits, causing heightened fear and concern among the community.
According to Isaiah Samuel, a resident of Bwari, the distressing incident occurred during the early hours of Wednesday in Zuma 1, located within the central ward of the Bwari Area Council.
Samuel described how the bandits meticulously planned their attack, positioning themselves strategically after singling out their target’s residence.
He stated that when the victim sensed something amiss upon hearing an unusual sound, they promptly contacted a relative known as Alhaji for assistance.
According to him, Alhaji swiftly organized a response, mobilizing the police to the scene in an attempt to intervene.
Samuel said “It was when the man suspected a strange sound in front of his house that he immediately called his brother, popularly called Alhaji to alert the police.”
Isaiah Samuel recounted that Alhaji, at the forefront with a team of policemen headed towards the targeted house, fell victim to a hidden bandit who fatally shot him from a concealed position which led to an intense exchange of gunfire between the police and the bandits, resulting in two officers sustaining gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
He said “The bandits eventually succeeded in whisking away the man and his family members, because the distance from the victim’s house to where the police engaged the bandits is far,”
Samuel further recounts an incident from the early hours of Tuesday when the bandits struck Barangoni, also within the Bwari central ward.
During this attack, three individuals were abducted, and a vigilant community member sustained injuries while trying to intervene.
Expressing concern and urgency, Samuel appealed to the authorities of the Area Council to step in and support the residents.
He emphasized the critical need for collaboration between local authorities and security agencies to address the relentless wave of kidnappings plaguing the area.
He added “The truth is that Bwari area council is under siege, because for the past two weeks now, bandits have been moving from one community to another killing and abducting people.”
However, the FCT Police Command had not responded or issued any statement regarding the recent attacks in Bwari.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reached an out-of-court settlement with renowned barman, Pascal Okechukwu, famously known as Cubana Chief Priest, regarding charges of naira abuse.
This development surfaced during the latest court proceedings presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
Cubana Chief Priest has been facing a three-count-charge related to the misuse of the national currency at a social gathering, a violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Details later.. . ..
Gunmen staged a brazen attack on Bmuko community in the Dutse Baupma area of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday night, abducting four residents.
According to Mr. Isah, a community member, the invasion commenced around 11:50 pm at the residence of Engineer Patrick, where his wife and brother were among those kidnapped.
The assailants, reportedly numbering around 30, descended upon Zone C, Road 5, unleashing gunfire before forcibly entering the engineer’s home and abducting two family members.
He said “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 attack.”
A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that they first became aware of the attack when gunshots rang out just minutes before midnight.
He stated that it was then that a fellow resident, residing among them, alerted them to the dire situation via a voice message on their communication platform, indicating that they were under assault.
He said “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 to something else, as nobody was arrested.
“The kidnappers went with three or four people. As we speak, the soldiers that 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.”
Emphasizing the need for increased police presence, the community leader highlighted that regular patrols, occurring three to four times a week, would significantly enhance security and reinforce the presence of law enforcement in the area.
“The people will also be guided both in information and movement. We are trusting that those kidnapped would be rescued safely. They have not contacted anyone 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 on the ground
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, and the entire command are in mourning following the tragic death of a Police Inspector, Sunday Baba.
Biztellers reports that Inspector Baba was shot and killed by unknown assailants on Wednesday night.
However the details of the incident remain unclear.
CP Disu expressed his condolences in a post via his X handle, recognizing Inspector Baba’s bravery and dedication to duty while serving in Rumuolumeni, Rivers State.
He wrote, “Yesterday night, Inspector Sunday Baba, a brave Police Officer serving at Rumuolumeni in Rivers State, made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty.
“Though the perpetrators fled, we recovered their vehicle. Tragically, the officer’s phone revealed 59 missed calls, 51 of which were from his wife. We bore the heavy burden of delivering the heart-wrenching news to her.
“Being a Police officer means leaving home in good health, never certain of returning alive. Those who take the lives of police officers are murdering those who stand as the guardians of the people. Let’s honour the sacrifices of our officers, may their sacrifice not be in vain.
“Goodbye, Sunday. Rest In Peace, Fallen Hero, PoliceFamily, Ultimate Sacrifice.”
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