Panic spreads across Abuja neighborhoods as alleged outlaws warn of impending raid

Residents of Kungaboku and Paze communities in the Federal Capital Territory have abandoned their homes after receiving a threatening letter from suspected bandits, who vowed to launch a coordinated attack in retaliation for the killing of their commander.

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This dire warning was discovered in a pupil's school bag at a private school in Paze, where a teacher found the letter while reviewing the child's homework, prompting a swift response from the authorities.

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It is worth noting that on March 7, a joint operation by troops of the 7 Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, along with police and vigilantes, resulted in the rescue of 19 kidnapped victims, mostly from Paze and Kungaboku, in the Bwari Area Council.

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During the rescue operation, which took place around Gidan Dogo, the troops killed a bandit and recovered one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated firearm, while other bandits fled with suspected gunshot wounds.

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A day before the threat letter surfaced, suspected bandits attacked a Fulani settlement in Kungaboku, abducting three women and demanding a N70 million ransom, further exacerbating the sense of fear and uncertainty in the community.

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Kungaboku and Paze, located near Byazhin, an extension of Kubwa in Bwari Area Council, have experienced a surge in violent attacks, including the killing of Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu, a veterinary doctor, in October 2025.

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Dr Ogbu, the former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, FCT Chapter, was abducted along with his three children and later shot in an open field, while his children were taken away by the assailants.

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On March 5, suspected bandits launched another attack in Kungaboku, abducting a retired military officer, Bankole Ganiyu, and three children, while Ganiyu's wife, a police officer, and two other children managed to escape unharmed.

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The same day, the bandits attacked a farm settlement, killing a vigilante on duty, abducting three workers, and leaving six others to escape, highlighting the escalating violence in the area.

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At Paze, residents have reported recurring attacks by armed groups, who raid nearby settlements and move from house to house, abducting residents, with at least 12 people kidnapped in the past two weeks, including women and children.

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In response to the latest threat, the Byazhin Divisional Police Officer convened a meeting on Saturday at the palace of Kungaboku's community head, Chief Ishaya Jagaba, where police confirmed the letter and assured residents of proactive security measures.

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Residents were advised to remain vigilant, monitor the activities of commercial motorcyclists and scavengers, who may be acting as informants for attackers, and to profile new residents moving into the community to prevent potential security risks.

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The police also urged residents to take proactive steps toward the construction of a police post in Kungaboku, promising regular day-and-night security patrols to prevent any attack and alleviate the growing sense of fear in the community.

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For now, the communities of Kungaboku and Paze are gripped by fear, with many homes deserted and residents anxiously awaiting the implementation of promised security measures to prevent another attack.

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Community leaders have urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, assuring them that cooperation with security agencies can help deter further violence and restore a sense of safety to the area.