Hussein Yahaya
Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, attacked Kpaduma III, a native community in the Asokoro extension of Abuja, on Monday night.
Our correspondent learned that the community was thrown into chaos as gunmen attacked houses and exchanged fire with local vigilantes.
Locals told our reporters that the attack, which lasted for several hours, was described as one of the most terrifying incidents in the community, as bullets and a grenade-like blast were heard by residents.
One of the residents, who gave her name as Chinyere, said some people were injured during the attack.
“One of the vigilantes, Bako, was shot dead,” the resident said.
Another resident, Jeremiah Idowu, said policemen later came to the village, which helped to ease the tension among the residents.
Jimoh Iliyasu, a civil servant, said it is unfortunate that despite the village’s closeness to the city centre, kidnappers could still invade the area.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.
She said in a statement late yesterday that the command received a distress call reporting gunshots along Kobi Village Road in Kpaduma III.
She said, “Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, personally led a response team comprising the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Rapid Response Squad, and the Divisional Police Officer, Asokoro Division, to the scene.
“On sighting the police team, the assailants opened fire, using two female victims as human shields to escape. The police team, however, continued to engage them in a fierce chase, successfully rescuing the two female victims unhurt.
“Regrettably, two local security men from the community vigilante sustained gunshot injuries. They were immediately evacuated to the National Hospital, where one was confirmed dead by a medical doctor, while the other remains under medical care and is responding to treatment.”
It would be recalled that on Saturday morning, a German national was reportedly attacked by hoodlums who snatched his phone and other belongings.
The incident reportedly happened along IBB Way, near Maitama Primary School in the Maitama district of Abuja.
Daily Trust reports that there have been increasing cases of attacks in the FCT villages recently.
Several people were said to be killed or injured by motorcycle snatchers in Abaji, Kuje and Gwagwalada area councils.
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