Four people, including a man and his wife, were abducted in the early hours of Monday, January 27, 2025, when seven armed men disguised as vigilantes stormed Chikakore community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) FCT Command has launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the victims.
FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh confirmed the incident in a statement shared with journalists, explaining that the suspects gained access to the victim’s home by pretending to be local vigilantes. Armed with machetes and sticks, they deceived the victim into opening his gate before abducting him, his wife, and two other family members.
During the attack, a neighbor who attempted to intervene was severely injured and rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for urgent medical attention. Police operatives were deployed to the scene shortly after receiving a distress call around 1:00 a.m., but the suspects had already fled with the victims.
Adeh assured residents that a comprehensive search-and-rescue mission is underway, with efforts focused on ensuring the safe return of the kidnapped individuals and bringing the assailants to justice. She also appealed to the public for information that could aid the investigation and urged residents to remain vigilant.
“The FCT Police Command is leaving no stone unturned in its mission to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators. Residents are advised to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately,” Adeh stated, providing emergency contact numbers for reporting incidents: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883. Complaints can also be directed to the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) at 09022222352.
This latest incident has sparked renewed concerns about rising insecurity in the FCT, with community leaders calling for improved surveillance and rapid police response in vulnerable areas like Chikakore.
The abduction highlights the growing trend of criminals impersonating vigilantes to deceive and attack unsuspecting residents. Authorities have urged members of the public to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be a vigilante before granting access to their homes.
As the investigation continues, the FCT Police Command is appealing for calm and cooperation from the public to aid in securing the safe release of the abducted individuals.
