Bandits Killed Security Guard, Abduct Pastor and Three Others in Fresh Abuja Night Raid

By Tgnews Reporter

Gunmen struck again in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), killing a local security guard and abducting four residents, including a pastor, in the early hours of Thursday in the Paze community around the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council.

The attackers, numbering about eight, stormed the neighbourhood popularly known as “Back of Catholic Church” and shot dead vigilante Shuaibu Yerima, who had been hired to protect the area.

The assailants then abducted Pastor Francis Oriade of the All Christian Fellowship Mission (ACFM), Maitama; Jewel Obeh; Friday Isaac; and 11-year-old Delight Okeke.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying ordeal that began shortly after midnight with gunshots. Emmanuel Isaac, whose elder brother Friday was taken, said the gunmen entered their compound, tied their hands, and selected victims after residents attempted to flee. He recounted how his brother pleaded to be taken instead of him.

Elizabeth Oriade, sister of the abducted pastor, narrated how the attackers gained entry through a window after failing to force the door open.

“They dragged the pastor from his room, slapping him for delaying them, tore one of our wrappers to tie our hands, seized our phones and cash before taking him away,” she said.

Mrs Joy Alex, wife of Jewel Obeh, said the gunmen used tools to remove a window and entered the house. They initially considered taking her daughter but left with her husband.

The mother of the abducted boy, Erenta Okeke, revealed that the attackers pointed a gun at her head, demanded money, and took her son after she pleaded for them to spare his younger sister.

Residents reported that the slain security guard was first shot in the leg but bled to death due to delayed medical help. He was buried on Thursday following funeral prayers at the palace of the chief of Ijayapi in the Byazhin community.

The incident comes less than a week after bandits invaded the nearby Kungabokun community and abducted another resident.

When contacted, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, promised a thorough investigation. A senior police officer at the Byazhin Divisional Headquarters confirmed the incident and stated that officers are actively trailing the kidnappers.

This latest attack has heightened fears over the persistent insecurity in parts of the FCT, even as residents continue to grapple with the growing boldness of criminal elements operating in the nation’s capital.