The inhabitants of Kungaboku, situated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have made an urgent plea for the establishment of a police post, consistent deployment of security personnel, and various infrastructural improvements in light of recent violent assaults by presumed bandits.
These requests were voiced during a comprehensive residents’ meeting chaired by community leader Ishaya Jagaba, alongside a gathering of the Kungaboku Farmers Association led by retired Captain Wale Adebayo.
Kungaboku, a largely agricultural community home to numerous livestock, poultry, and aquaculture farmers, is located in proximity to Byazhin, a part of Kubwa within the Bwari Area Council.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the community experienced a harrowing incident on Thursday night when suspected bandits infiltrated the area, abducting a retired military officer named Bankole Ganiyu along with three children.
Fortunately, Mr. Ganiyu’s wife, a police officer, and two other children present at the home during the raid escaped without injury.
The bandits, during their operation which reportedly spanned from 11 p.m. to midnight, further targeted a farm settlement, resulting in the death of a vigilante member on duty and the abduction of three workers, while six others managed to flee.
In a promising turn of events, all seven individuals taken were rescued by troops from the 7 Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who collaborated with the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante volunteers during a coordinated search and rescue mission in the vicinity of Gidan Dogo within the Bwari Area Council.
Past incidents have also haunted the community; in October 2025, Ifeanyi Ogbu, a veterinary doctor and former chair of the FCT chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, was murdered by kidnappers who also abducted his three children from their residence in Kungaboku.
During the residents’ gathering, community members remarked on the heightened economic activities in their locality and demanded the establishment of a police outpost with a permanent security presence. They also called for the bolstering of the existing vigilante group, as well as collaboration with neighboring communities to effectively mitigate future threats.
The community members expressed their willingness to donate land and basic resources for the proposed police post. They urged the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, to approve their request swiftly and initiate regular police patrols to discourage further attacks and reassure the residents.
Zephaniah Moses, a past youth leader in the village, represented the community head during this meeting. He shared the distressing news that numerous residents had abandoned their homes and farmlands in search of safety due to the ongoing violence, appealing to the Commissioner for immediate action.
Additionally, he appealed to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to resolve infrastructure issues in the area, especially concerning the access road and the primary health center, which have deteriorated significantly.
Captain Adebayo, who has resided in Kungaboku for over ten years, reminisced about a time when the area was peaceful and secure, attracting many prominent individuals to establish agricultural enterprises and reside there.
He recounted the latest assaults, explaining that immediately after the local vigilante members vacated the vicinity of Mr. Ganiyu’s residence, kidnappers struck, taking him along with three children. Following a distress message from neighbors, he joined local security personnel and reached out to the police for urgent support.
While attending to the cries for help, another urgent alert arrived via the farmers’ association WhatsApp group, indicating an assault on a member’s farm. However, by the time they arrived at the location, the assailants had already completed their operation before the police patrol team could intervene.
Captain Adebayo emphasized that an established police presence within the community could have resulted in a quicker response, potentially thwarting the attacks with the assistance of vigilant local forces.
Farm owner Nnamchi Ephraim shared details of the assault, noting that the attackers came in large numbers, storming the premises and firing upon the armed security guard.
Although nine workers were present that night, three were abducted, while some found refuge in the ceiling, and others scaled the fence to escape into the nearby terrain. He praised one of the abducted workers who maintained that there were no more laborers on the farm, despite threats from the attackers.
Ephraim further detailed how the intruders invaded a room, firing shots into the ceiling, but fortunately not at the location where some workers were hidden.
When the vigilante group and police finally arrived, those who had evaded capture returned and were later treated for injuries, while the deceased security guard was taken to the morgue.
Subsequent to the incident, none of the workers expressed a willingness to lodge at the farm overnight; they solely came for feeding the birds and animals before leaving.
Ephraim called for swift intervention to ensure the security of the community, to protect workers, and to safeguard his substantial investment and those of other farmers in the area.
Another farmer, Michael Ifesemen, a Merchant Navy officer, highlighted the importance of local farmers embracing corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He underscored, however, that relevant government bodies must foster an enabling environment that allows farmers to fulfill such responsibilities effectively.
Ifesemen emphasized the significance of cooperation and proactive engagement among farmers, community members, and local residents to ensure the ongoing security of the community.
A police patrol leader assigned to the area post-attack reassured residents of a committed effort to ensure the return of the kidnapped individuals.
CSP Adache, the officer in charge, encouraged community members to share pertinent information that could aid in combating crime and securing the locality.
The residents reiterated that establishing a police post and enhancing local vigilante efforts would significantly boost response times to security threats and restore confidence among farmers and other dwellers.
They also implored the FCT administration to address vital infrastructural deficiencies, namely the derelict access road and the primary health center, asserting that improved facilities would enhance security, stimulate economic activity, and promote the overall welfare of residents.
The community collectively expressed that with purposeful cooperation from security agencies, governmental authorities, and neighboring communities, Kungaboku could reclaim its status as a tranquil region, ripe for agricultural investments and secure living.
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