The spate of insecurity in the Northern region of the country is creeping into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Sunday morning invaded Kuchiko Relocation Development Area (KRDA) of the Bwari Area Council, kidnapping a resident and his son.
Recently, satellite towns in the FCT have been experiencing incidents of kidnapping especially in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils.
Bwari Area Council shares common boundary with Niger State, which appears to be the new haven for bandits’ activities in the region.
Sources said that the gunmen, numbering over 20, stormed the area popularly known as El-Rufa’i Estate at 12 midnight, overpowering the security guards on night duty and started shooting sporadically.
There was panic among the residents of the estate as they were woken up by gunshots as the gunmen, who also wielded knives and machetes, headed to the house of the victim (names withheld) and took him and his son hostage.
It was gathered that the invaders, who operated for an hour, later proceeded to the house of another resident and attempted to kidnap him.
However, the timely arrival of soldiers from the Defence College, Bwari, saved the situation after a gun battle with the gunmen.
Some residents of the area, who recounted their ordeal, called on the authorities to beef up security around the satellite areas.
The Bwari Area Council Divisional Police Officer (DPO) could not be reached for comments.