DAWAKI, FCT – In a shocking incident, heavily armed bandits kidnapped 20 residents of Dawaki, a community near Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sparking significant tension in the area.
The attack, which occurred at approximately 7:30 pm on Sunday, saw about 50 bandits, including men and women, raid houses on Frank Opara Street. The incident prompted immediate response from security operatives following distress calls.
Tunde Abdulrahim, Chairman of the Dawaki Rock Heaven Community, recounted the attack, stating that the bandits broke into six houses during their raid. The attack has left the community in a state of shock and fear.
FCT Police Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident and detailed the response led by Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh.
“In an immediate and strategic response to a distress call on the attack by unknown gunmen in Dawaki on May 19, 2024, at about 11:30 pm, the operatives of the FCT police Command led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Igweh, himself, swiftly mobilised to the scene,” Adeh said.
Displaying remarkable bravery and coordination, the police, in synergy with local hunters, engaged the assailants in a gun battle at Ushafa Hill via Bwari and Shishipe Hills via Mpape. The intense exchange of fire forced the kidnappers to flee, leaving the abducted victims behind. One rescued victim remains hospitalized, receiving medical attention.
CP Igweh reaffirmed the FCT Command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Territory and stated that search operations are ongoing to rescue other hostages who fled during the shootout.
This attack follows a similar incident reported by *Daily Trust*, where five people were abducted from Shagari Quarters, Dei-Dei in the FCT, early on Sunday. The bandits reportedly targeted the family of a senior customs officer, abducting his wife, three children, and a younger brother.
Local vigilante sources revealed that the attackers had initially spent over two hours in the customs officer’s compound before moving to the neighboring Dakwa community, where they faced resistance from security forces, leading to a retreat.
Dr. Alhassan Musa Babachukuri, the Chief of Dakwa, expressed concern over the increasing activities of bandits and called for urgent government intervention. He warned that the bandits have established a base behind Zuma Rock in Chachi community, Niger State, leading to forests around Bwari, which could escalate their operations if not promptly addressed.
The recent string of kidnappings highlights the growing security challenges in the region, prompting calls for heightened vigilance and more robust security measures to protect residents and restore peace.
