Gunmen in military attire, numbering approximately 50, have launched a brazen attack on the Dawaki community in Abuja, abducting at least 20 individuals, according to reports from Daily Trust.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing assault, labeling the assailants as bandits, armed robbers, and terrorists. Dawaki, a densely populated neighborhood housing numerous Federal Capital Territory (FCT) workers, sits opposite the sprawling Gwarinpa Estate, the largest organized settlement in Nigeria along the Abuja-Kubwa Expressway.
The invaders, armed with a variety of weapons, descended upon Dawaki around 7:30 pm on Sunday, conducting their operation until approximately 8:30 pm. The incident occurred shortly after kidnappers targeted Shagari Quarters in Dei-Dei, a mere five kilometers away on the same expressway, abducting the family of a Customs officer.
Hosea Christopher, a Dawaki resident, disclosed that the bandits seized 17 individuals from three residences and a street near Fulani Junction. Fortunately, five of the abductees managed to escape while being transported towards a nearby mountain.
While attempting to flee towards a forest near the Usuma Dam, the bandits encountered resistance from Department of State Services (DSS) operatives. Despite a fierce exchange of gunfire, the assailants evaded capture, Christopher added.
Additional sources suggested that over 20 people were taken captive during the raid. Abel James, one of the fortunate residents who avoided abduction, described the attackers as donning uniforms and face masks, casting doubt on their legitimacy as they unleashed a barrage of gunfire.
Community leader also emphasized the collateral damage incurred during the assault, noting that numerous vehicles around Fulani Junction sustained bullet damage.
Confirming the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, disclosed that he spearheaded a rescue operation in the Ushafa-Shishipe area following a distress call triggered by the attack on Dawaki. Igweh reported that some abducted victims were successfully rescued and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The attack in Dawaki adds to a growing trend of audacious criminal activities in and around Abuja, raising concerns among residents. In response, some estates have taken proactive measures, including arming their vigilante groups with firearms to bolster security.
Moreover, communities under siege have taken matters into their own hands, pooling resources to repair police patrol vehicles and enhance law enforcement presence in the area. Residents of affected neighborhoods have rallied together, contributing funds to ensure their safety in the face of escalating threats posed by criminal elements.