The rising wave of insecurity in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has taken a chilling turn as gunmen struck yet again, abducting multiple motorists and passengers near the Abacha Barracks bypass in Guzape, Abuja.
The brazen attack, which occurred at approximately 11:31 p.m. on February 25, has sent shockwaves through the capital, raising fresh concerns about the deteriorating security situation. This latest assault comes just weeks after a series of kidnappings in Bwari, Kuje, and Gwagwalada, where armed gangs abducted scores of victims, including schoolchildren and commuters.
According to police intelligence sources who confirmed the attack to Zagazola Makama, a security analyst, officers responding to a distress call discovered two abandoned vehicles at the scene.
One of the vehicles, a black Toyota Prado Land Cruiser with registration number Abuja RBC 900 SF, is reportedly owned by Hon. Shagala Samuel. The second, a Honda Civic with registration number RSH 181 TH, was also left deserted, heightening fears that the occupants had been forcefully taken by the attackers.
“The responding team combed the surrounding area and nearby bushes, but no contact was made with the victims or the perpetrators,” the source disclosed.
Despite immediate response efforts, security forces have yet to make any significant breakthroughs in tracking the assailants or rescuing the victims. The FCT Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has since launched a manhunt, while security operatives across major entry and exit points in the FCT have been placed on high alert.
Authorities believe this latest attack underscores a disturbing pattern of emboldened criminal activities in the capital. In January alone, gunmen stormed Bwari, kidnapping over a dozen residents and demanding hefty ransoms. Similarly, Kuje and Gwagwalada have been plagued by a string of abductions, leaving families devastated and struggling to negotiate with the kidnappers.
The recurrent kidnappings within the nation’s seat of power have sparked outrage and fear among residents, who now question the effectiveness of security measures in protecting citizens. The proximity of this latest attack to a military installation raises even more pressing concerns about the boldness of these criminals and the state of security in Abuja.
With the Federal Government yet to devise a robust strategy to curb the menace, many fear that these abductions may become even more frequent, further exposing Abuja’s vulnerability.
Security analysts have called for urgent and comprehensive action to dismantle the growing kidnapping syndicates, urging the government to deploy advanced surveillance, intelligence-gathering mechanisms, and increased military-police collaboration to restore order in the capital.
For now, the residents of Abuja remain on edge, as the terrifying reality of insecurity continues to tighten its grip on the city.
PIONEER NEWS 