Bandits K*ll Vigilante, Abduct Pastor, Child, Two Others In Abuja Community

Bandits K*ll Vigilante, Abduct Pastor, Child, Two Others In Abuja Community
A vigilante was killed while four residents were abducted.
Victims include a pastor, an 11-year-old boy and two others.

Suspected bandits have killed a local vigilante and abducted four residents, including a pastor and an 11 year old boy, during an attack on the Paze community in the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when about eight armed men reportedly stormed the neighbourhood, popularly known as “Back of Catholic Church,” shortly after midnight.

The gunmen were said to have shot dead a security guard identified as Shuaibu Yerima, who was engaged by residents to help secure the community.

The attackers also abducted Pastor Francis Oriade of All Christian Fellowship Mission, Maitama, Abuja; Jewel Obeh; Friday Isaac; and an 11 year old boy, Delight Okeke.

The latest incident came less than a week after gunmen reportedly invaded the nearby Kungabokun community and kidnapped a resident, raising fresh security concerns among residents of the area.

Speaking on the attack, Emmanuel Isaac, younger brother of one of the abducted victims, said the incident began after residents heard a gunshot believed to have killed the community vigilante.

According to him, the gunmen later entered their compound, with several of them carrying firearms while one appeared to be leading the operation.

“We then saw them coming into our premises, with about four of them bearing guns. Another member of the gang that seemed to be leading them was wearing a mask on his face. We attempted to escape through a back door, only to be rounded up and asked to move back inside the house,” he said.

Isaac said the attackers tied his hands and those of his elder brother before deciding who to abduct.

“They tied my hands and that of my elder brother before directing me to go with them. But my brother pleaded with them to rather go with him, which they agreed to,” he added.

He further disclosed that security operatives arrived shortly after the kidnappers fled the community.

“About 10 minutes after they left, policemen arrived in the neighbourhood with an armoured van and a Sienna car.

“We pleaded with the police to trail the kidnappers, pointing toward the direction they went but they said no, that they preferred to go through a different direction,” Isaac stated.

Also speaking, Elizabeth Oriade, younger sister of the abducted pastor, said the attackers forced their way into the family house through a window after failing to gain entry through the door.

She said the family became aware of the attack after hearing gunshots around midnight, adding that the gunmen entered their residence about 20 minutes later.

“We noticed their presence following some gun shooting around 12am, and they invaded our homes about 20 minutes later,” she said.

Bandits K*ll Vigilante, Abduct Pastor, Child, Two Others In Abuja Community

According to her, the gunmen tracked family members to the toilet area before dragging Pastor Oriade from his room and taking him away.

The incident has heightened fears among residents of the Byazhin and Kubwa communities, who have continued to call for increased security presence and stronger measures to tackle the growing threat of kidnappings in the FCT.