By Abdullahi Mukhtar
Bandits have reportedly kidnapped six young girls and a 16-year-old boy from the Gidan-Bijimi settlement in Abuja’s Bwari Area Council.
The assault, which occurred around 9:47 pm on Wednesday, has intensified fears over the capital’s worsening security situation.
Armed with AK-47 rifles, the assailants targeted two homes, firing repeatedly into the air before escaping with their captives into the night.
The victims, young women aged 17 to 23 and the teenage boy, are yet to be contacted by their abductors.
A local resident confirmed that community vigilantes attempted to intervene but were overpowered by the bandits’ superior firepower.
The area, which borders Kaduna State and is near forests known as criminal hideouts, has seen a spike in such attacks.
This incident follows a similar raid in the nearby Guto community just one week prior, where a police officer was killed.
In response to the escalating crisis, the FCT Administration has announced the full activation of “Operation Sweep,” a multi-agency security initiative.