Gunmen invaded Sagwari Layout Estate in the Dutse axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday, kidnapping at least 10 individuals. Witnesses reported that the kidnappers, disguised as herders, entered the estate around 7:30 pm.
According to gathered information, eight people were abducted from the estate, while two staff members were taken from a nearby hotel. A distress message from one of the victims, sent to the estate’s WhatsApp group, indicated imminent danger to his family before communication ceased minutes later.
In response, security forces have been mobilized and are collaborating with estate security personnel to search the hills behind the estate. A security operative, who was initially captured and assaulted by the kidnappers, has been successfully rescued.
Efforts to obtain comments from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, proved unsuccessful as calls to her phone went unanswered. However, inquiries made to the Police emergency call center confirmed the command’s awareness of the incident, with the closest Divisional Police Officer (DPO) already notified to deploy personnel to the scene.
