Two Women Kidnapped Near Abuja in Pre-dawn Raid; Police Hunt Abductors
Heightened security concerns gripped the outskirts of Abuja on Tuesday as gunmen abducted two women in a pre-dawn raid on Aco Mbawpe, a semi-rural community in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident, which occurred around 2:10 a.m., has prompted a coordinated manhunt by operatives of the FCT Police Command, local vigilantes, and anti-kidnapping units, who are now combing surrounding forests and hills in search of the suspects.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama first disclosed the incident via a post on X (formerly Twitter), citing police sources who confirmed the abduction of two female residents identified as Fati Omale and Zainab Ibrahim from their home during the violent invasion.
Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer of the Iddo Division reportedly dispatched patrol units to the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest the attackers specifically targeted the residence before whisking the victims away to an unknown location.
A spokesperson familiar with the response effort said, “Combined teams have been mobilised from multiple divisions, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, with support from local hunters and vigilantes to track down the kidnappers and safely recover the victims.”
The latest incident adds to a troubling pattern of kidnappings in Abuja’s satellite communities.
In May, armed assailants struck the Gbazango Extension Relocation 2 area along Arab Road in Kubwa, abducting a male resident and leaving another with gunshot injuries.
Residents of these fringe communities have repeatedly raised concerns over growing insecurity, citing poor surveillance infrastructure and delayed emergency response.
Security analysts are now urging a more proactive approach, including improved intelligence gathering and community-policing partnerships, to prevent further attacks.
While the police have yet to confirm arrests, the ongoing search operations are said to be intensifying, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements.
