Barely a week after reports of Boko Haram terrorists establishing cells around the Federal Capital Territory, gunmen on Thursday struck in Tunga Magi, a suburb of Abuja, allegedly kidnapping 20 people.
One resident said at least 20 people were kidnapped after prolonged shooting in the community that lies near Zuba. This figure could not be immediately confirmed.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT, Anjugur Manzah, said he was working on a statement on the incident.
He did not confirm the number of those kidnapped, or whether there were casualties.
A resident of the area who would not be named for security reasons said heavy shooting started in the community at about 12.15a.m. and lasted more than an hour.
He said members of the local vigilante group were overwhelmed.
“We didn’t sleep throughout the night. It’s this morning that the vigilantes told us about 20 people were abducted,” he said.
The attack is coming barely a week after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in an internal memo dated August 20 and widely circulated on September 4, 2020, raised an alarm over plan by Boko Haram terrorists to attack the FCT.
In the memo signed by the Comptroller, Enforcement of Customs Headquarters, H.A Sabo, the agency listed five prominent locations in Abuja targeted by the terrorist group for its attack.
The memo reads, “Information reaching the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) reveals the existence of Boko Haram Terrorist Camps (BHT”s) in and around the Federal Capital Territory.
“Further reports have it that they are planning to attack some selected targets within the territory. They are reported to have set up their camps in the following identified enclaves:
“Kunyam Bush along airport road off DIA Staff Quarters-Abuja; Robochi/Gwagwalada Forest; Kwaku forest, Kuje, Abuja; Unaisha forest in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State and Gegu forest, close to Idu town in Kogi State.
“Consequently, you are to be at alert and security conscious of your environment at all times.”
But the Defence Headquarters however assured FCT residents and adjoining states that the military and other security agencies were on red alert to protect residents of the FCT and neighbouring States.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major Gen. John Enenche, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, September 6, said the armed forces had intensified effective surveillance of the FCT and other states to checkmate activities of the criminals.
He said the assurance was “imperative sequel to a purported memorandum from the Nigeria Customs Service warning its staff on a possible attack on the FCT”.
“The Armed Forces in conjunction with other security and response agencies particularly the core intelligence agencies hereby assure the public that preventive and preemptive intelligence are ongoing.
“The general public is thus advised to go about their lawful businesses undeterred,” he stated.
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