Suspected kidnappers have abducted a resident and fatally shot another during an attack on a residential community near the Quarry area of Arab Road in Kubwa, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory.
Truth Live News gathered that the attack occurred between 11 p.m. on Saturday and midnight on Sunday, throwing residents into panic.
Sources in the community said the victim who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident later died in hospital on Sunday.
Speaking on the development, the community secretary, identified only as Dairo, said residents were alerted to the invasion by the sound of gunfire as the assailants reportedly entered the area through a nearby hill.
“We started hearing gunshots, and the house is close to the hill. From what I was told, because my house is not too far away, the local security team tried to repel them during a gun battle,” he said.
According to Dairo, despite resistance from local security operatives, the attackers managed to gain access to the victims’ apartment.
“While all that was going on, they were able to enter the man’s apartment. They shot him and took his younger brother away,” he added.
He disclosed that police officers arrived shortly after the attack, but the kidnappers had already fled with the abducted victim.
“I think the police arrived sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. Before they got there, the kidnappers had already escaped with the victim. They came through the hill and left through the same route,” he said.
The community secretary described the latest incident as the third successful kidnapping operation carried out in the area in recent years.
“This is the third time kidnappers have entered the community through the hill,” he stated.
Dairo recalled that a similar incident occurred around 2021 or 2022 when a corps member was abducted and a resident identified as Mr Oshodi was killed.
He further revealed that another resident was kidnapped in May last year and was later released after a ransom was paid.
According to him, suspected kidnappers had also attempted to invade the community two or three weeks ago but were successfully repelled by local security personnel.
“About two or three weeks ago, they came, but they couldn’t gain access because of the presence of our local security team before they returned on Saturday,” he said.
Dairo noted that residents had established a local security network comprising vigilantes and hunters to help protect the community.
“We were able to organise local security personnel, including vigilantes and hunters. They are the ones helping to secure the community,” he added.
He appealed to the government and security agencies to establish a police station in the area or increase security patrols to deter criminal activities.
“If the government can establish a police station here or deploy regular patrol teams, their presence alone will help discourage these criminals,” he said.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the death of the shooting victim.
“The young man is dead; he didn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace. He was the one taken to the hospital by the police,” the resident said.
Efforts to obtain a response from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful, as calls placed to her phone line did not connect.