Crime, Trending

Bandit Threat Letter Sparks Panic as Residents Flee FCT Communities

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 16th, 2026.

Residents of Kungaboku and neighbouring Paze communities in the Federal Capital Territory have begun abandoning their homes following the discovery of a threatening letter allegedly issued by suspected bandits warning of an imminent attack.

According to reports cited by Daily Trust, the letter was discovered in a pupil’s school bag at a private school in Paze. The message allegedly warned that the armed group planned coordinated attacks on Kungaboku and surrounding communities to avenge the killing of one of their commanders.

The development has heightened anxiety in the area, which has recently experienced a surge in kidnappings and violent raids.

The threat surfaced only days after troops of the Nigerian Army, particularly the 7 Guards Battalion, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups, rescued 19 kidnapped victims during a joint search-and-rescue operation around Gidan Dogo on March 7.

Most of the victims were reportedly residents of Kungaboku and Paze who had previously been abducted by suspected bandits. Security operatives killed one of the attackers during the operation, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm during the raid.

Local sources said the threat letter was discovered by a teacher while marking a pupil’s notebook. The discovery prompted the school management to alert authorities, after which the pupil, parents, teacher and school officials were invited for questioning by the police before being released.

News of the threat quickly circulated across the communities through social media and local messaging platforms, triggering panic among residents.

Tension further escalated when suspected bandits attacked a Fulani settlement in Kungaboku shortly before the letter surfaced, abducting three women and reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦70 million.

Kungaboku and Paze, located near Byazhin in Bwari Area Council, have witnessed repeated violent incidents in recent months.

In October 2025, Ifeanyi Ogbu, a veterinary doctor and former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, was abducted in Kungaboku alongside his three children. He was later killed while the children were taken away by the kidnappers.

Similarly, on March 5, suspected bandits attacked the same community and abducted a retired military officer, Bankole Ganiyu, along with three children. His wife, a police officer, and two other children in the house reportedly escaped unharmed during the attack.

That same day, bandits also raided a nearby farm settlement where they killed a vigilante on duty and abducted three workers, while six others managed to escape.

Residents of Paze say armed groups frequently raid homes in the area, moving from house to house to abduct victims. Community sources claim that at least 12 people including women and children have been kidnapped within the past two weeks alone.

Among the victims were four children belonging to a pastor, as well as the wife of a vigilante leader and her sister. In one incident, abductors reportedly left behind a baby during the operation.

In response to the latest threat, the Divisional Police Officer overseeing Byazhin convened a security meeting with residents and community leaders at the palace of the Kungaboku community head, Chief Ishaya Jagaba.

At the meeting, police confirmed the existence of the threat letter but assured residents that proactive security measures were being implemented to prevent any attack.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant and monitor the activities of commercial motorcyclists and scavengers who sometimes act as informants for criminal groups. They were also advised to properly profile new residents moving into the community.

Authorities further encouraged residents to support plans to establish a police post in Kungaboku, assuring that security patrols would be intensified across the area.

Despite these assurances, fear continues to grip Kungaboku and Paze, with some families already abandoning their homes as uncertainty persists.

Community leaders have appealed for calm, urging residents to cooperate with security agencies to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the affected communities.