Abuja, Nigeria – Heavily armed kidnappers launched an overnight assault on Grow Homes Estate in the Chikakore area of Kubwa, Abuja, holding residents hostage and abducting at least two individuals. The incident, occurring between midnight and 1:30 AM on Monday, May 26, 2025, marks the latest in a series of security breaches in Nigeria’s capital territory.
Terrified residents reported a prolonged ordeal, with the assailants overpowering the local vigilance team. One resident witnessed a man and a woman being taken away by the kidnappers. However, by daybreak, the woman was found within the estate, released by her captors for unexplained reasons.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, stating that a distress call was received around 1:00 AM from officers stationed near the estate. Police reinforcement was swiftly deployed, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire with the attackers for approximately 40 minutes. This intense gun battle is credited with the rescue of one victim, identified as Chinyere Joe. Unfortunately, the armed men escaped with the second victim.
Residents are appealing to the government for urgent intervention, specifically calling for road repairs to facilitate access for security patrol vehicles and the establishment of a police station in the area for rapid response.
The FCT Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the army and other security operatives, has launched an operation to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure the safe rescue of the remaining abducted individual.
This attack comes just days after a similar incident at Efab Global Estate in the Idu Industrial Area of Abuja last Wednesday, further highlighting the escalating security concerns in the region.
Analysis: Nigeria’s Growing Kidnap-for-Ransom Challenge
The recent kidnapping in Grow Homes Estate, following closely on the heels of another incident in Idu, underscores a deepening and pervasive kidnap-for-ransom crisis gripping Nigeria, particularly affecting its Federal Capital Territory. This phenomenon has evolved from a rural menace to a significant urban threat, impacting even the perceived safety of residential estates in the capital.
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