Bandit abductions hit an FCT community as six girls and a teenage boy are seized in a night raid, forcing residents to flee amid rising insecurity
The Federal Capital Territory was thrown into shock on Thursday after bandit abductions were reported in Gidan Bijimi in Kawu ward, where armed men kidnapped six young girls and a 16-year-old boy during a violent night raid.
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The incident was confirmed by resident Suleiman Shuaibu, who told Daily Trust that the attackers stormed two homes shortly before 10 pm on Wednesday, firing rifles and causing widespread panic.
Shuaibu said the gunmen overwhelmed local vigilantes who attempted to repel them.
Shuaibu explained that his own cousin was among the six abducted girls, who are aged between 17 and 23.
He added that the teenage boy was taken from a neighbouring compound as the bandits moved swiftly through the area.
Residents who witnessed the invasion described the assault as terrifying, noting that families fled into the bush as shots rang out. The chaos, they said, left the usually quiet settlement deeply unsettled.
Shuaibu said many households have now deserted the community in fear of another attack, leaving the area unnervingly quiet. He called for urgent intervention to prevent further tragedies.
Authorities had not issued a formal statement at the time this story was filed, but community members urged security agencies to launch an immediate search to rescue the victims and restore calm.
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The brazen nature of the raid has intensified concern across the FCT, where locals say rural communities continue to face relentless pressure from armed groups.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
