Bandits kidnapped five people from Shagari Quarters, Dei-Dei in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) early Sunday morning.
According to vigilante sources in the village, the attackers arrived about noon and attacked the home of a senior custom officer.
The armed assailants invaded the customs officer’s compound, abducting his wife, three of his children, and his younger brother.
“They spent more than two hours before proceeding to the neighbouring Dakwa community,” a vigilante source disclosed. The officer, previously stationed in Abuja, had been deployed to Lagos, but his family remained in the Dei-Dei compound.
The bandits subsequently released the officer’s wife, who was heavily pregnant, but retained custody of his children and younger brother. An attempted incursion into Dakwa town was thwarted by a fierce exchange of gunfire with local security forces, causing the bandits to retreat. Dr. Alhassan Musa Babachukuri, the Chief of Dakwa, confirmed the confrontation and highlighted the persistent threat posed by the bandits.
Dr. Babachukuri expressed grave concern over the bandits’ established base behind Zuma Rock in Chachi community, near Dakwa in neighboring Niger State. This location provides access to forested areas around Bwari, enabling the bandits to conduct their operations. He urged the government to take decisive action against these criminal elements to prevent further escalation of their activities.
As of now, the FCT police command has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Attempts to reach the command’s spokeswoman, SP Josephine Adeh, for comments have been unsuccessful.
This alarming incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and swift government intervention to protect communities from the escalating threat of banditry in the region.