Residents of Gidan-Bijimi village in the Kawu ward of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, were thrown into panic on Wednesday night when heavily armed men invaded the community shortly before 10 p.m.
The assailants, wielding AK-47 rifles, targeted two households, firing indiscriminately and abducting seven young people: a 16-year-old boy and six females between the ages of 17 and 23.
Terrified villagers scattered into the surrounding darkness as the attack unfolded.A local resident, Suleiman Shuaibu, recounted that members of the community vigilante group attempted to confront the gunmen but were forced to withdraw after coming under intense gunfire.
Shuaibu confirmed that one of the abducted girls is his cousin and stated that, as of Thursday morning, the kidnappers had made no contact with any of the affected families.
The raid occurred barely 48 hours after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, directed security agencies to intensify patrols and operations along the territory’s borders in response to persistent banditry. Following the directive, a multi-agency task force comprising the police, military, Department of State Services, and other units was mobilised under “Operation Sweep” to restore order in vulnerable communities.FCT Police Commissioner Miller G.
Dantawaye has instructed the joint team to adopt a coordinated approach aimed at dismantling criminal networks in the area, assuring that the minister has provided adequate logistical support. As investigations continue, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, had yet to issue an official statement at the time of reporting.
