Residents of the Paze community in the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Abuja, have been thrown into fear following a midnight attack by suspected bandits that left a local vigilante dead and four residents abducted.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, targeted the area popularly known as the “Back of Catholic Church” within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to residents, about eight armed men stormed the community shortly after midnight, killing a local security guard, Shuaibu Yerima, before abducting four persons, including a cleric and an 11-year-old boy.
The victims were identified as Pastor Francis Oriade of All Christian Fellowship Mission, Maitama, Abuja; Jewel Obeh; Friday Isaac; and young Delight Okeke.
The latest incident comes barely days after another kidnapping operation was reported in the nearby Kungabokun community, raising fresh concerns over the growing insecurity in parts of the FCT.
Speaking on the incident, Emmanuel Isaac, younger brother of one of the abducted victims, recounted that the attack began with a gunshot believed to have killed the community guard.
He explained that the armed men later invaded their compound, armed with sophisticated weapons, while one of them appeared to be coordinating the operation.
According to him, family members attempted to escape through a rear exit but were intercepted and forced back into the house by the attackers.
Isaac revealed that both he and his elder brother were restrained by the gunmen before the kidnappers eventually decided to take his brother away after he volunteered to go in his place.
He also disclosed that security operatives arrived shortly after the attackers had fled the scene.
According to him, residents urged the police to pursue the kidnappers through the route they had taken, but the officers reportedly opted for a different approach.
Meanwhile, the abducted pastor’s younger sister, Elizabeth Oriade, said the attackers forced their way into their home through a window after failing to gain access through the door.
She stated that the family became aware of the attack after hearing gunshots around midnight, with the assailants reaching their residence about twenty minutes later.
Elizabeth narrated that the gunmen dragged Pastor Oriade from his room, assaulted him, tied family members with torn wrappers, confiscated mobile phones and cash, and eventually whisked him away.
Similarly, Mrs. Joy Alex, wife of another abducted victim, Jewel Obeh, recounted how the attackers broke into their home shortly after the family returned from their roadside shop.
She said the gunmen initially attempted to abduct her daughter but later changed their minds and took her husband instead.
In another account, Mrs. Erenta Okeke revealed that the attackers entered her residence through a window and demanded money while threatening her with a firearm.
She explained that after pleading for the safety of her younger daughter, the kidnappers abducted her 11-year-old son, Delight Okeke.
The incident has heightened tension across the community, with residents calling for stronger security measures to protect lives and property.
Residents further disclosed that the slain vigilante was initially shot in the leg and later died due to excessive blood loss after medical assistance could not be secured promptly.
He was laid to rest on Thursday following funeral prayers held at the palace of the Ijayapi community chief.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, reportedly promised to investigate the incident.
A senior officer at the Byazhin Divisional Police Headquarters also confirmed the attack and assured residents that security operatives have commenced efforts to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the victims.
