Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted no fewer than 20 residents of Dawaki, a community near Kubwa in Abuja.

It was gathered that bandits kidnapped the residents during an attack on the community at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Chairman of Dawaki Rock Heaven Community, Tunde Abdulrahim, disclosed that the gunmen, numbering about 50, invaded the community and broke into about six houses.

Confirming the incident, Federal Capital Territory Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, led policemen to the scene and engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

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Adeh noted: “In an immediate and strategic response to a distress call on the attack by unknown gunmen in Dawaki on May 19, 2024, at about 11:30 p.m., the operatives of the FCT Police Command, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Igweh, himself, swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“Displaying remarkable bravery and coordination, the police, in synergy with local hunters, advanced on the assailants, tactically ambushing them at Ushafa Hill via Bwari and Shishipe Hills via Mpape.

“This led to a fierce gun duel as the hoodlums were overwhelmed by the firepower of the operatives, forcing them to scamper to safety with various degrees of bullet injuries, and the victims were rescued.

“While one of the rescued victims is still in the hospital receiving medical attention, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, reaffirms the command’s steadfast dedication to maintaining peace and security in the territory, as search operations are ongoing to rescue other hostages who fled the scene during the shootout.”

The Star