Abductors who kidnapped four residents of the Byazhin district in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have demanded N10 million ransom for each of their victims, relatives of the abductees have disclosed.

The victims were abducted on Thursday night when a gang of armed bandits invaded a neighbourhood around the Catholic Church in the Paze/Ijayapi area of the district. During the attack, a member of a local vigilante group was reportedly killed.

Family members contacted by Weekend Trust yesterday said the kidnappers had established contact and were demanding N10 million for the release of each victim.

The latest attack has heightened fear among residents of the district, which comprises communities such as Ijayapi, Paze, Chakakore and Kungabokun, all of which have witnessed repeated bandit attacks in recent months.

Sources in the area said two affected families who recently built houses in the community had already relocated following the traumatic incident.

The attack came barely days after another resident of nearby Kungabokun community was abducted on May 31. The victim is still being held captive.

Worried by the growing insecurity, residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and establish joint security patrols across the affected communities.

They also criticised what they described as the limited security presence in the area, alleging that police personnel only operate checkpoints between 7pm and 10pm before leaving.

According to them, the checkpoint operations have discouraged commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators from working at night due to alleged extortion, forcing commuters to pay higher fares to get home.

“We want the police to sustain patrols throughout the night and stop collecting money from commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators. Residents need effective security, especially during the hours when people are returning home from work,” a resident said. (Daily Trust)

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