In a chilling ordeal that has left residents of Grow Homes Estate in the Chikakore area of Kubwa, Abuja’s largest suburban town, reeling in fear, a group of heavily armed kidnappers invaded the quiet residential community in the early hours of Monday, May 26, 2025. The brazen attack, which unfolded between midnight and 1:30 a.m., saw the assailants hold residents hostage for over an hour, shattering the tranquility of the night and exposing the vulnerabilities of suburban security in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to eyewitness accounts from terrified residents, the heavily armed gang breached the estate through its rear perimeter fence, swiftly overpowering the local vigilance team tasked with safeguarding the community. The attackers, whose numbers remain undisclosed, moved with precision and audacity, instilling panic as they stormed through the estate. “It was like something out of a nightmare,” one resident, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, recounted. “We heard loud bangs and shouting. Before we knew it, they were inside, and we were all at their mercy.”
The kidnappers’ operation was swift and ruthless. Residents reported that the assailants abducted at least two individuals during the raid. One eyewitness described seeing a man and a woman being taken by the gunmen. The woman, later identified as Chinyere Joe, was found within the estate hours later, having been released by her captors for reasons that remain unclear. Speculation among residents suggests she may have been let go due to health concerns or as a strategic move by the kidnappers to evade capture. The fate of the second abductee, however, remains uncertain, with fears growing for their safety.
The invasion prompted a desperate distress call to the FCT Police Command, which mobilized a response team around 1:00 a.m. What followed was a tense, 40-minute gunfire exchange between the police and the heavily armed kidnappers. The confrontation, described by residents as “intense and terrifying,” saw bullets flying through the estate, with families cowering in their homes, praying for safety. Despite the police’s efforts, the kidnappers managed to escape with at least one victim, though one hostage was successfully rescued during the operation.
SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident in a statement, emphasizing that a joint operation involving the police, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies has been launched to track down the perpetrators and secure the release of the remaining victim. “We are working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the abducted individual and to bring the culprits to justice,” Adeh said. She urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The attack has reignited concerns about the rising wave of kidnappings in Abuja’s suburban areas, with Grow Homes Estate becoming the latest flashpoint in a troubling trend. Residents of Chikakore and surrounding areas have long complained about the lack of adequate security infrastructure, including poor road access that hampers rapid response from law enforcement. “The roads leading to our estate are terrible,” said Mr. Emmanuel Okoye, a long-time resident. “It takes too long for police to get here, and the criminals know this. We need a police station nearby and better roads for patrols.”
The estate’s rear perimeter fence, which served as the entry point for the kidnappers, has also come under scrutiny. Residents have called on the government and estate management to reinforce security measures, including installing higher fences, CCTV cameras, and additional lighting to deter future attacks. “This is not the first time we’ve had issues here,” another resident, Mrs. Aisha Musa, lamented. “We live in fear, wondering when the next attack will happen. The government must act now.”
The incident has also sparked broader conversations about the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s capital city, once considered a relatively safe haven compared to other parts of the country. Kubwa, with its sprawling residential estates and proximity to the city center, has increasingly become a target for criminal gangs exploiting its quiet streets and perceived security lapses. The audacity of the attackers, who operated for over an hour in a populated area, has left many questioning the effectiveness of current security strategies in the FCT.
As the joint security operation continues, residents of Grow Homes Estate are grappling with the trauma of the night’s events. Parents are keeping children indoors, and community meetings have been scheduled to address safety concerns. The release of Chinyere Joe has provided a glimmer of hope, but the uncertainty surrounding the remaining abductee weighs heavily on the community. “We are praying for their safe return,” said Pastor James Adebayo, a local religious leader. “This is a wake-up call for all of us. We cannot continue to live like this.”
Authorities have appealed to the public for information that could aid in apprehending the kidnappers, providing emergency contact numbers for tips. Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has promised to intensify patrols in Kubwa and other vulnerable areas to restore confidence among residents.
The invasion of Grow Homes Estate serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s security apparatus and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect citizens. As the search for the missing victim continues, the people of Chikakore are left to pick up the pieces, hoping for justice and a safer future in a community shaken to its core.
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