Panic swept through parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday after suspected gunmen invaded a military residential estate in Kurudu, Abuja, in a failed kidnap attempt.
The incident occurred at the Army Post Service Housing Estate in Kurudu, Phase 5, when seven armed men reportedly stormed the facility in the early hours, targeting a high-profile resident believed to be a prominent business figure.
Security sources said the attackers met stiff resistance from security personnel within the estate, including soldiers who swiftly mobilised to confront them.
Reinforcements from the police, particularly officers from the Kurudu Division, were also deployed to the scene.
A fierce gun battle ensued, leading to the death of one of the assailants, while another reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
The remaining suspects fled the area through a rear exit as security operatives tightened their response.
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The attempted abduction was successfully foiled, and no official confirmation has been given regarding casualties among residents, although some injuries were reported during the exchange of fire.
Authorities are yet to release a formal statement on the incident, but investigations are believed to be ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The breach has sparked fresh concerns about security in the nation’s capital, particularly as the incident occurred within a military estate, an area typically regarded as highly secured.
Residents in the area expressed shock and unease, with many questioning the safety of even the most fortified locations in Abuja amid rising insecurity.
