A late-night rescue operation by security operatives in the Federal Capital Territory has averted what officials described as a coordinated kidnap attempt in Guto, a border settlement in Bwari Area Council.
The response, however, came at a heavy cost as one police officer died from gunshot injuries sustained during the confrontation.
According to police authorities, a large group of armed men stormed the community and targeted a home believed to be occupied by a family they intended to abduct.
Residents said the attackers moved with “unusual confidence,” prompting fears that the incident could escalate into a mass abduction.
Security operatives from the Bwari Division Surveillance Team and the Inspector-General of Police Special Intervention Squad were immediately dispatched to the area after a distress call was placed around 1:10 a.m.
Furthermore, officials said the attackers began shooting once they noticed the arrival of the responding teams.
“The officers acted with remarkable speed and precision,” FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh explained, noting that the gun duel left two of the armed men dead while others retreated into the bushes.
“Their response prevented a devastating situation,” she added.
The Command confirmed that during the exchange, one officer was hit by a bullet and later died at Bwari General Hospital.
A senior officer familiar with the operation described the fallen policeman as “a dedicated officer who stood firm in the face of overwhelming danger.”
FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, praised the bravery of the security teams, stressing that the Command will sustain its operations to curb rising threats in border communities.
He offered condolences to the family of the deceased officer, calling him “a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Dantawaye also urged residents to remain vigilant, noting that the attackers’ retreat into surrounding hills and forests suggests that more incursions may be attempted.
“Community awareness is crucial. People must speak up when they notice strange movements,” he said.
Guto and other settlements within Bwari Area Council have long battled recurring insecurity, with frequent reports of infiltration by armed groups.
The latest incident underscores the persistent pressure facing communities on the outskirts of Abuja and the growing need for sustained security presence.
The police reiterated that residents can report emergencies through designated FCT Command hotlines as authorities intensify patrols and surveillance across the region.