Gunmen Kidnap Four Residents in Bmuko Community, Nigeria

On May 1, 2023, gunmen attacked Bmuko community in the Dutse Baupma area of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. The attack targeted the home of Engineer Patrick, where his wife and brother were among four residents kidnapped. The incident occurred around 11:50 pm.

Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen, numbering more than 30, stormed the community and shot sporadically in the air before breaking into the engineer's house to abduct his family members. The kidnappers then divided into two groups, with one group heading towards the riverside and the other towards the hillside, where they kidnapped a pastor and another young man.

Community leaders called the police and soldiers, who responded to the incident. However, the security forces were unable to arrest the kidnappers or rescue the victims. "We heard gunshots and called the police. The police and soldiers came, but the kidnappers had already gone with the victims," said a community leader.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by communities in Nigeria, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory. The audacious nature of the attack and the inability of security forces to prevent or respond effectively to such incidents raises concerns about the safety of residents and the need for improved security measures.

The community has been demanding a police outpost in the area, as they believe it would help decrease the occurrence of such crimes. "We have been demanding a police outpost because this area is populated, and the security issues are known to the security architecture of the FCT," a community leader stated.

This attack follows previous incidents in the area, including the kidnapping of 22 persons and the killing of a 400-level student from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in January 2023, as well as the abduction and killing of a 13-year-old girl in the Bwari Area Council in recent months.

As of the time of reporting, the kidnapped victims have not been contacted by the abductors, and security forces are still searching for them in the surrounding areas. The police are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. The community remains in a state of shock and fear, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones and demanding improved security measures to prevent future attacks.

Key Takeaways

• Gunmen attacked Bmuko community in Abuja, kidnapping 4 residents including engineer's family
• Over 30 gunmen stormed the community, shooting sporadically before abducting victims
• Police and soldiers responded but failed to arrest kidnappers or rescue victims
• Community demands police outpost to address recurring security issues in the area
• Victims remain uncontacted, as security forces continue searching for them