How Gunmen in military uniform abducted traditional ruler, grandsons, others in Abuja

On Tuesday, March 12, 2025, gunmen dressed in military uniforms stormed the community of Dnako in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, abducting the village head, HRH Etsu Yuda Garba, two of his grandchildren, and five other residents.

Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the incident, which occurred around 12:03 am, has left the community in shock and raised concerns about the rising insecurity in the region.

According to a resident, Mr. Tanko Baba, the armed kidnappers, carrying AK-47 rifles, first raided four houses, abducting five individuals before targeting the traditional ruler’s residence.

The attackers broke into the house, seized the village head, and took away his sleeping grandchildren, identified as Ephraim and Philemon.

The abduction was accompanied by sporadic gunfire, creating panic among residents.

Baba revealed that one of the victims, Nicholas, had just returned from the hospital where his wife had given birth when he encountered the kidnappers.

“Mr. Nicholas, who is my cousin, just returned from the hospital where his wife gave birth when he ran into the kidnappers,” Baba said.

The gunmen reportedly operated for nearly 30 minutes before fleeing with the victims.

Witnesses stated that the kidnappers fired gunshots as they escaped, possibly to deter any pursuit by security forces.

Although soldiers arrived in the village shortly after the incident, the kidnappers had already fled. Security forces are currently pursuing the attackers.

A police source in Bwari confirmed the abduction but directed further inquiries to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command.

However, attempts to reach the FCT police spokeswoman, Superintendent Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks by bandits in Bwari, which has seen a surge in kidnappings and violent crimes in recent times.

Residents have repeatedly called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take urgent action to address the deteriorating security situation in the area.

Rising insecurity in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has witnessed a significant rise in various forms of crime, including armed robberies, home invasions, and kidnappings.

According to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, business revenue is declining by 33% due to escalating criminal activities, particularly kidnappings and robberies.

This situation affects not only the economic landscape but also citizens’ daily activities, forcing many to alter their routines and invest heavily in personal security measures.

The report indicates that abductions have increasingly shifted from once notorious areas like Bwari and Kuje to more central locations within the Abuja Municipal Council Area.

Between January 2023 and January 2024, there were alarming increases in kidnapping incidents, with Bwari recording the highest number of abductions at 158 cases.

The psychological toll is equally significant, with families of kidnap victims enduring emotional trauma and financial burdens due to ransom payments.

The menace of “one-chance” operators in the capital territory has also become a significant concern.

Recent reports show a surge in “one-chance” robberies in Abuja, where criminals impersonate security agents to deceive and rob unsuspecting victims.

Over 100 cases of “one-chance” have been recorded in Abuja since 2015, leading to injuries and fatalities.

The economic impact of this surge in insecurity is profound. Transport fares have surged by 100-250%, while estate security fees have risen by 20%. Rent prices in highbrow areas have skyrocketed, placing additional financial strain on residents.

From 2020 to 2024, Nigerians reportedly paid about N1.048 billion naira in ransom to kidnappers, while another N653.7 million was reported to have been paid between July 2021 and June 2022.

In response to the escalating insecurity, the House of Representatives recently summoned key officials, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the Commissioner of Police, and other security stakeholders to address the worsening security situation.

The FCT Police Command has also deployed additional officers and pledged to address the dire situation.

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