Over a month after being abducted by gunmen, four residents of the Chikakore community in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, remain in captivity.
The victims, including an entire family, were kidnapped on Sunday, 26th January 2025, when armed assailants stormed the Health Centre extension area of Chikakore around 11 p.m.
The attackers took five individuals—Adesiyan Akinropo, his wife, son, their visitor, and a neighbour.
During the attack, a woman was injured after being struck on the head with a gun. She was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.
Residents lamented the slow response of security forces, as police operatives from the Byzahin Division arrived at the scene over an hour after the gunmen had fled.
“The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police, but there is no deployment yet,” a resident told SaharaReporters shortly after the attack.
The FCT Police Command confirmed the attack and stated that an investigation and a search-and-rescue operation were underway.
Tragically, one of the five abducted victims was later found dead. A source revealed that the body was discovered on the roadside in Niger State during the ongoing rescue efforts.
“One of the kidnapped victims is dead. The victim’s body was found on the roadside somewhere in Niger State during the ongoing rescue operation,” the source revealed.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Tunji Disu, while speaking with SaharaReporters on the issue on Tuesday, assured the public that security agencies, including the military, are actively working on the matter.
Disu emphasised the need for confidentiality due to the nature of the operation.
“It’s a very sensitive matter, and we are actively working on it, including in collaboration with the military. A lot of activities are taking place, but we prefer to keep them confidential. The person’s life is our top priority,” he stated.
He further confirmed that the individual at the centre of the case is alive and that security operatives are closely monitoring developments.
“We can confirm that the person is alive, and we are aware of many details. Rest assured, we are making every effort to resolve the situation,” he assured.
