Bandits Abduct Pastor, In-laws, One Other in Midnight Raid on Abuja Community

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Four men, including a pastor, were Monday night kidnapped by gunmen at Bmuko community at Dutse Baupma axis of Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

An engineer, identified as Patrick, his wife and brother were reportedly abducted from their home during the attack on Zone C, Road 5 of the community.

Residents said sporadic boom of gunshots punctuated the night and sent fears down their spines.

The family members were abducted after the criminals broke into their residence.

“From the engineer’s house, after carrying his wife and brother, they divided themselves into two groups. One group went towards the riverside that leads to Kubwa and Bwari, while the other group went towards the hillside.

“It was the group going towards the hillside that stopped at a nearby house, where they kidnapped a Pastor and another young man. We could not do anything, we were scared to death during the period of the operation,” a resident, named Isah, disclosed.

One of the leaders of the community, who pleaded anonymity, also confirmed the incident.

He said they heard gunshots a few minutes before midnight, when one of the landlords among them posted a voice note on their platform alerting them about the attack.

“Swiftly, our security personnel came down. We had to make calls to the FCT Police station. Luckily, we had intervention from them, and soldiers also came to our rescue. However, the whole thing turned to something else, as nobody was arrested.

“But, the kidnappers went with three or four people. As we speak, the soldiers that went in search of them have returned without rescuing them. The policemen are still in the bush searching for them.

“We have been demanding Police outpost here in the Bmuko community. This is a populated environment. Whatever is happening here is not out of the knowledge of the security architecture of the FCT,” he said.

He said the security situation would have been different if they had the Police patrolling at least three to four times in a week.

“The people will also be guided both in information and movement. We are trusting that those kidnapped would be rescued safely. They have not contacted anybody yet. We are seriously praying for their safety.

“The wife and brother of one Engineer Patrick were also among the people that were kidnapped, and also a pastor. The kidnappers came with AK47, because some of the guys during the night search picked up about two or three bullets of AK47,” he said.