JUST IN: Gunmen Abduct 16 Residents in Kubwa, Abuja, Including Pastor’s Children, Vigilante’s Wife

At least 16 people were kidnapped during a violent raid in Peze community, Byazhi area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. The victims include four children of a local pastor, the wife of a community vigilante commander, and her younger sister.

Residents reported that the heavily armed gunmen carried out the attack on Tuesday night between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., moving from house to house and attempting to force entry.

One resident described seeing the attackers gather in an unfinished building across from his home before launching the operation. “They started banging on doors and shouting. If someone responded, they would break windows to enter,” he said.

The gunmen abducted victims from homes they could penetrate, threatening to kill anyone who resisted. Among those taken were the pastor’s four children, whose father was briefly away when the attack occurred.

The family of a local vigilante commander was also targeted. The commander had left home around 10 p.m., only to be blocked by the kidnappers on the road. His wife and visiting sister-in-law were abducted from their home, though a newborn in the house was left behind.

Security forces arrived after the kidnappers had escaped, and the attackers have since contacted the families to demand ransom.

The Peze community has seen multiple kidnappings in recent weeks, prompting residents to organise vigilante patrols. Community members are calling on authorities in the FCT to increase security presence and take immediate action against the kidnappers.

Efforts to reach SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.