Armed gunmen have killed a local vigilante member and abducted four residents during an attack on the Byazhin area of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to residents, the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when a large group of heavily armed assailants stormed the community and launched the operation.
A resident identified as Aliyu said the attackers, estimated to be about 28 in number, invaded the area and forcefully took four residents into the bush.
During the attack, a vigilante member who was helping to secure the community was reportedly shot from behind and later died from his injuries.
A security source confirmed the incident, revealing that the slain vigilante had since been buried.
The source also disclosed that security operatives, including personnel from the military, police and local vigilante groups, had commenced a search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the kidnappers and securing the release of the abducted victims.
Authorities are said to have intensified operations in the surrounding forests and nearby areas as efforts continue to track down the criminals.
Attempts to obtain an official statement from the FCT Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The latest incident has heightened concerns among residents of Byazhin and neighbouring communities, where cases of kidnapping and violent attacks have become a growing security challenge in recent years.
Residents have continued to call for stronger security measures and increased surveillance to protect lives and property within the rapidly developing suburb.
