Residents of Kungaboku and Paze in the Federal Capital Territory have begun fleeing their homes after suspected bandits reportedly issued threats of coordinated attacks on the communities.
According to reports, the threat was contained in a letter allegedly discovered inside a pupil’s school bag at a private school in Paze.
The letter warned that the attackers planned to strike Kungaboku and neighbouring communities to avenge the killing of one of their commanders.
The development follows a recent rescue operation carried out on March 7 by troops of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Guards Brigade, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.
During the operation around Gidan Dogo, security operatives rescued 19 kidnapped victims, most of whom were residents of Kungaboku and Paze.
Troops reportedly killed one bandit during the operation, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds. Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle and a locally made firearm from the scene.
The threatening letter was discovered when a teacher found it inside a pupil’s notebook while marking homework.
After the discovery, the pupil, the parents, the teacher and school authorities were invited by the police for questioning and were later released after profiling.
News of the threat quickly spread across the communities through social media and local groups, causing panic among residents.
A day before the letter surfaced, suspected bandits had reportedly attacked a Fulani settlement in Kungaboku, abducting three women and demanding a ransom of N70 million.
The communities, located near Byazhin, have experienced several attacks in recent months. In October 2025, Ifeanyi Ogbu, a veterinary doctor and former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association FCT chapter, was abducted alongside his three children and later killed.
Earlier this month, suspected bandits also kidnapped a retired military officer, Bankole Ganiyu, and three children during another attack on Kungaboku.
Residents said at least 12 people, including women and children, have been kidnapped in the area within the past two weeks. Among them were four children of a pastor and the wife and sister of a vigilante leader.
To address the situation, the Divisional Police Officer of Byazhin convened a meeting with residents on Saturday at the palace of the community head, Chief Ishaya Jagaba.
During the meeting, police confirmed the existence of the threat letter but assured residents that proactive security measures were being implemented. They urged residents to remain vigilant, monitor the activities of commercial motorcyclists and scavengers who could act as informants, and properly profile new residents moving into the community.
Police also encouraged residents to support the proposed construction of a police post in Kungaboku, assuring them that day-and-night patrols would be intensified to prevent further attacks.
Despite these assurances, fear remains high in the affected communities, with many homes deserted as residents await stronger security measures to prevent another assault.
Source: NAN.
