By Laraba MUREY
Terrorists renewed their onslaught on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the wee hours of Sunday, June 30, 2024, when over four persons were reportedly kidnapped, and one other killed in the Guto area of Bwari Area Council.
The attack, which began around 12:30 am in the fringes of Guto and Piyawe communities, crept into Tudun-Fulani and Sabon Gari areas, both in the headquarters of the area council.
Residents claim that two separate groups had invaded the area council with kidnappers numbering over 30 surrounded the communities shutting sporadically and forcing their way into people’s homes.
Eyewitnesses said that the invaders came into the Piwaye through the swamps and made their way to Guto and Piyawe where they kidnapped a man and killed a woman in her mid-forties.
The deceased, whose name was simply given as Madam Alice, was said to have only visited her sick mother who stays with her brother in Bwari where she unfortunately met her death.
Two victims were allegedly abducted from their homes in Guto, while another person was kidnapped from Tudun-Fulani, which is less than a kilometre from the council secretariat.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, said the attackers operated from 12:30am to 2:30am with no challenge from the security agencies.
“What happened last night was very unfortunate. We couldn’t sleep from 12:30am when they stated till almost three o’clock. Initially we thought it was vigilantes that were shooting, but when it became persistent, we knew these people are back again.
“We have had peace for sometimes now but unfortunately they have resumed and this time with full force because it was two groups that entered Bwari that yesterday (Saturday night.)
“One were in Guto while the other group was in Piyawe. It was obvious those ones came prepared, because the sounds we heard through the night, suggest they came with sophisticated weapon.”
Another resident of Tudun-Fulani, who asked not to be named, alleged that the police failed to show up even when frantic calls were made to the divisional headquarters in Bwari.
“We felt so helpless because for the kidnappers operated for over an hour, but there was no police or army to challenge them.
“I called my neighbour when the shooting started and he said he had already called the police. We waited for them to show up for 20 minutes and when we didn’t hear sounds of sirens, we called again but they keep telling us they were oon their way. We never saw them until the kidnappers left on their own.”
Bwari Area Council had been in the news in the early part of the year, when bandits and kidnappers overran the area council abducting people for ransom.
Recall that the a 400 level student of ABU Zaria, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and 13 years old Folashade Ariyo, were both kidnapped in separate attacks in Bwari and Dutse-Alhaji respectively.
Both victims were later killed by their abductors following failure to secure their release on time.
Attempts to get the police reaction on the latest attack has been unsuccessful, as phone calls and WhatsApp messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer For the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, were unanswered.
