By Milcah Tanimu
Abuja, the federal capital, is grappling with an alarming surge in criminal activities, with the most recent incident occurring in the rural village of Gbaupe, situated behind ACO Estate Lugbe along the Abuja Airport Road. The attack, which transpired on Sunday, resulted in the abduction of 12 individuals, including a 9-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl.
A witness, speaking to Vanguard, revealed that the assailants targeted the village, and during the abduction process, two individuals managed to escape as they were being led into the nearby bush.
Reports indicate that one of the abducted men was forcibly taken away without a shirt or footwear. While Gbaupe has experienced criminal incidents in the past, the scale of this kidnapping event is unprecedented for the village.
Local Vigilante members attempted to confront the kidnappers but were overwhelmed due to the criminals’ superior firepower. The region, encompassing Gbau, Kuje, Gauge, Pegi, Abaji, Keti, and Kwali, has witnessed unchallenged kidnappings for over three years.
As of the latest update, the kidnappers had not yet established contact with the families of the victims by 9:15 am. A resident, speaking anonymously to Vanguard, disclosed that the roughly 15 kidnappers operated between 12:15 am and 2:46 am.
In a related incident, recent reports reveal that bandits targeted Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. During the invasion on Sunday night, between 7 pm and 9 pm, a nursing mother and three children were abducted. Residents lamented the lack of security intervention, marking the fifth consecutive incident in the community without adequate measures to address the security concerns.
