Fresh Security Concerns as Armed Group Abducts Seven in Bwari Community

Officials in the Federal Capital Territory are responding to a new security incident after armed men attacked Gidan-Bijimi, a small community in Bwari Area Council, late Wednesday night and abducted seven young people. According to a Daily Post report on Thursday, the victims include a 16-year-old boy and six girls.

Gidan-Bijimi, located near the Kaduna State border and close to Marke village, has faced occasional security concerns in the past. Residents, however, described Wednesday’s attack as abrupt and deeply troubling.

Speaking by phone with Daily Trust, resident Suleiman Shuaibu said the gunmen arrived shortly before 10 p.m., heading directly into two houses and firing into the air as they seized the teenagers. The gunshots caused widespread panic as families scattered for safety.

Local vigilante members attempted to intervene but were overwhelmed. The attackers, armed with rifles, reportedly continued shooting until the volunteers were forced to withdraw. By the time the situation settled, the group had already escaped with the victims.

Shuaibu noted that the abducted girls are mostly between 17 and 23 years old, and many families remain shaken. “It was around 9:53 p.m. when a call came from Gidan-Bijimi that bandits had invaded and taken six young girls. Unfortunately, my cousin was among the victims,” he said.

Following the incident, some residents fled the community out of fear of further attacks. As of Thursday morning, there had been no contact from the abductors, leaving the community tense and awaiting updates.