A wave of anxiety has gripped residents on the outskirts of Kubwa town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a fresh assault by gunmen on Grow Homes Estate, located in Chikakore, under the Bwari Area Council.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, May 26, 2025, and led to the abduction of two individuals a businessman and a housewife though the woman was later released.
The attack on Grow Homes Estate came just 48 hours after a similar incident rocked Efab Global Estate in the Idu district, heightening fears of escalating insecurity within the capital region. Chikakore, located roughly 30 kilometers from central Abuja, has suffered multiple attacks this year, with a notable case in January involving the abduction and subsequent murder of an APC-affiliated director.
One-Hour Operation: Victims Taken, Security Overpowered
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen breached the estate by dismantling the barbed wire along the perimeter fence before gaining entry into several compounds. In one of the targeted homes, the attackers reportedly smashed a window to gain access, abducting a male resident in front of his family. The man's wife, who was also taken initially, was later freed during the gunmen's retreat, after pleading for her release due to exhaustion.
A resident close to the family told Daily Trust that the gunmen operated with alarming precision, targeting specific houses and moving methodically from compound to compound. In total, they were reported to have invaded three separate homes during the operation, which began around 1:00 a.m. and lasted for approximately one hour.
Escape Amid Gunfire
During the chaos, one of the estate's security guards attempted to intervene by firing warning shots from a distance. However, the attackers retaliated by moving toward his direction, forcing him to retreat for safety. It wasn’t until the sound of a police siren approaching the estate that the gunmen ended the siege and escaped with one of the two hostages.
One eyewitness, who managed to evade detection during the assault, described how he and his brother took cover in separate locations and watched the attackers force open gates and destroy window burglar bars. “They tried to find us but couldn’t,” he said. “Their plan was well coordinated, and they only withdrew once they sensed police reinforcement.”
Police Confirm Attack, One Victim Rescued
The FCT Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, who disclosed that police officers stationed near the estate responded to a distress call around 1:00 a.m. and engaged the attackers in a 40-minute exchange of gunfire.
“Two victims were abducted during the attack. Our operatives successfully rescued one of them identified as Chinyere Joe while the assailants fled with the second,” Adeh said.
She also confirmed that a joint operation involving the police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the military, and other security agencies had been launched to track down the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the remaining victim.
Repeated Attacks Spark Outrage and Fear
This latest assault marks at least the third known attack on Grow Homes Estate, which remains partially under construction. In previous incidents, over 24 residents were abducted, and at least one was killed. The recurring nature of these attacks has raised serious concerns among locals, many of whom say the estate’s security vulnerabilities have not been adequately addressed.
A resident disclosed that while the estate previously deployed hunters to patrol its Phase 4 perimeter formerly a common entry point for kidnappers the attackers have since shifted their access route to a less-guarded area near the railway line linking Abuja and Kaduna.
Life Disrupted, Construction Halted
In the aftermath of the attack, ongoing construction projects within the estate have been temporarily suspended, and many workers were seen gathered in groups, discussing the traumatic event. Police teams from Byazhin and Kubwa divisions have continued to visit the area as part of ongoing investigations.
Residents are calling on the FCT administration and federal authorities to strengthen security and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities around the capital. “This is no longer just a rural crisis,” said one resident. “Abuja is under siege, and the government must act decisively.”
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