Residents of Peze and Kungabokun communities in the Byazhin-Across area of Kubwa, a satellite town in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are living in fear after a wave of kidnappings by armed bandits. The attacks, which have taken place over the past two weeks, have left at least 20 people abducted, with some rescued after paying ransom and others still missing. The affected communities are surrounded by hills and dense vegetation, creating a challenging environment for security forces to monitor and respond to the ongoing threat.

Impact on Local Residents

Philip Ikechukwu, a resident of Peze, described the attacks as a “nightmare” for the community. He said that no fewer than 20 people have been kidnapped in the last two weeks, with some released only after paying a ransom of N500,000. “We have been living in fear. These terrorists have been raiding us, shooting guns and abducting men, women, and even children,” Ikechukwu said. He added that while a joint security patrol of soldiers, police, and civil defense officers is now on the ground, the distance to the Byazhin Divisional Police Station remains a major concern for residents.

Chief Kalu Uma, who has lived in the neighboring Ijayapi community for 29 years, described the recent menace as a new and worrying development. He called on the government to strengthen security in the area, which he said is becoming increasingly porous. “This is a new kind of threat that we have not seen before,” Uma said, adding that the community is struggling to cope with the fear and uncertainty.

Personal Accounts of Kidnappings

Pastor Tony Anotu, whose four children were kidnapped on March 3 and rescued on Saturday, described the experience as “harrowing.” He said the kidnappers left his three-and-a-half-year-old child behind and that he was unable to sleep without thinking about his children’s ordeal. “Each time I tried to sleep, I would see their pictures and wake up, wondering how they were feeling inside the forest,” Anotu said. He confirmed that his children were rescued by security personnel without a ransom payment, and that a vigilante member’s wife and her sister were also rescued in the same operation. However, the kidnappers left the wife’s two-month-old baby behind and took her sister who had come to help her.

Anotu directly appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for a permanent security solution. “We need a long-term solution to ensure that our children and families are safe,” he said, emphasizing the need for a stronger security presence in the area.

Local Leaders Call for Security Reinforcements

Chief Saidu Ibrahim, the Village Head of Peze, expressed devastation over the continued attacks and suggested that local informants may be involved. He said that on Tuesday of this week, the bandits entered the community again, firing bullets and taking about seven people. Ibrahim noted that at least 16 people were kidnapped from his ward during this period and that a formal letter has been sent to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police Area Command requesting a permanent security base.

In Kungabokun, the Village Head, Chief Jagaba Ishaya, reported that a vigilante officer was killed and several others were abducted from a poultry farm and a former naval officer’s residence. Speaking through an interpreter, he emphasized the need for better equipment: “You cannot face a person coming with an AK-47 using an inferior weapon. Our vigilantes need to be empowered.” He called for the provision of modern arms and training to help them defend the community against the armed bandits.

While the Byazhin Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Christopher Owujie, declined to comment, the FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that several victims had been rescued through a joint effort by the Police, Military, and DSS. She stated that during the gun battle, some terrorists were neutralized, others escaped with bullet wounds, and two suspects were arrested. She emphasized that classified details of ongoing security strategies remain confidential for public safety.

Why It Matters

The attacks in Kubwa are part of a broader pattern of insecurity in Nigeria’s capital city, where banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery have become increasingly common. The fear and anxiety experienced by residents of Peze and Kungabokun highlight the urgent need for improved security measures and a more coordinated response from the federal government. The situation has not only disrupted daily life but also eroded the sense of safety and stability in the region.

Local leaders and residents are calling for a permanent security base in the area, as well as the deployment of more police and military personnel. They also want better equipment for local vigilantes and increased community engagement to identify and address the root causes of the insecurity. Without immediate action, the situation is likely to worsen, with more residents at risk of abduction and violence.

Authorities have confirmed that several victims have been rescued through joint operations, but the threat remains. The FCT Police Command has not disclosed further details about the security strategies being employed, citing public safety concerns. However, local leaders and residents are urging the government to take decisive action to ensure the safety of the community.

The situation is expected to remain under close watch by security agencies, and there are reports that more reinforcements may be deployed in the coming weeks. The Federal Government has yet to respond publicly to the calls for a permanent security solution, but the pressure on officials is mounting as the attacks continue to disrupt life in the area.