A team of heavily armed kidnappers stormed Grow Homes Estate in the Chikakore district of Kubwa, Abuja’s largest suburb, and held citizens hostage for more than an hour.
According to concerned residents, the incident took place between midnight and 1:30 a.m. on Monday.
A resident reported seeing a man and a woman kidnapped.
However, by morning, the woman was discovered within the mansion, having been released by her kidnappers for reasons unknown.
“The incident happened around midnight. The assailants were well-armed and overpowered the local vigilance team.
“The police arrived at about 1 a.m., and there was a fierce exchange of gunfire for approximately 30 minutes.
“We are appealing to the government to repair this road to allow easy access for security patrol vehicles. We also urge the police and the FCT Administration to establish a station here for rapid response,” a resident said.
Confirming the incident, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, revealed that the woman was released after an extensive fire battle with the kidnappers.
Adeh further stated that efforts were underway to rescue the remaining victim from their kidnappers.
She said, “The FCT Police Command, on Monday, 26th May 2025, at about 1:00 a.m., received a distress call from police officers stationed in front of Grow Homes Estate, Kuchibuyi village in Byazhin, reporting an attack by armed assailants and requesting reinforcement.
“Upon swift deployment to the scene, it was discovered that the attackers had breached the estate through the rear perimeter fence and forcefully abducted two victims.
“The responding police officers exchanged gunfire with the attackers for about 40 minutes and rescued one of the victims, identified as Chinyere Joe. Unfortunately, the attackers escaped with the second victim.
“The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the army and other security operatives, has since launched an operation to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure the safe rescue of the remaining abducted victim.”
