Many individuals residing in the Kungaboku and Paze areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are evacuating their homes in response to a letter purportedly sent by suspected bandits warning of imminent attacks.
The letter, allegedly discovered in a student’s backpack at a private school, stated that the bandits intended to target Kungaboku and its neighboring community, Paze, as an act of vengeance for the death of their leader.
It is pertinent to recall that on March 7, members of the 7 Guards Battalion, part of the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, alongside police officers and local vigilantes, successfully rescued 19 individuals who had been kidnapped.
The abducted individuals primarily hailed from Paze and Kungaboku and were freed during a coordinated rescue operation around Gidan Dogo in the Bwari Area Council.
During this operation, security forces reportedly killed one bandit while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds. Additionally, a subsequent search in the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and a locally made firearm.
The threat letter was said to have been found by a teacher in the notebook of a pupil while grading their homework. Following the discovery, the pupil, their parents, the teacher, and school officials were all taken into custody for questioning before being released by the police.
As news of the threats spread, community members began disseminating the information through various social media platforms and local groups.
The situation worsened when, a day prior to the discovery of the letter, suspected bandits attacked a Fulani settlement near Kungaboku, abducting three women and demanding a ransom of N70 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) noted that Kungaboku and Paze, which are situated near Byazhin, an extension of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council, have faced numerous violent incidents in recent months.
For instance, in October 2025, Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbu, a veterinary doctor and former head of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in the FCT, was killed there. He was abducted while with his three children and subsequently shot in an open field, while his children were taken away.
Earlier on March 5, bandits also struck Kungaboku, kidnapping a retired military officer named Bankole Ganiyu along with three of his children. His wife, who is a police officer, along with two other children present during the raid, managed to escape unharmed.
On that same day, bandits also attacked a farm settlement, resulting in the death of a vigilante and the abduction of three farm workers, although six other individuals managed to flee.
Residents of Paze report that such attacks have become commonplace, with armed groups frequently raiding nearby areas and targeting families for abduction.
In the last two weeks alone, no fewer than 12 individuals, including women and children, have been kidnapped. Among those taken were the children of a pastor and a vigilante leader's wife, along with her sister, with one incident resulting in a baby being left behind.
To combat the rising fear and prevent mass evacuations, the Divisional Police Officer of Byazhin convened a meeting on Saturday.
Held at the residence of the community leader, Chief Ishaya Jagaba, police officials confirmed the authenticity of the letter and assured residents that they would implement proactive security measures.
Community members were urged to stay alert, monitor the activities of commercial motorcyclists and scavengers—who may act as informants—and ensure that newcomers in the area are properly vetted to prevent potential criminal infiltration.
During the meeting, the need for a police post in Kungaboku was discussed, with the DPO encouraging residents to work towards making this project a reality. He also promised regular security patrols at all hours to deter any attacks.
Currently, a state of anxiety looms over Kungaboku and Paze as homes remain deserted and residents await the effectiveness of the promised security measures to thwart further attacks.
Local leaders have, however, advised residents to avoid panic and maintain vigilance, assuring them that collaboration with security agencies could help mitigate the violence. (NAN)
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!