Suspected bandits have reportedly killed a security guard, abducted a pastor and two other residents, and injured another man during a late-night attack on Mpape, a community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The incident occurred on Wednesday night, July 9, 2026, in the Yellow House area of Mpape, a rapidly developing neighbourhood located a short drive from the upscale Maitama district and close to a military barracks in Abuja.
According to reports, the armed assailants, believed to be about 10 in number, stormed the community shortly before 11 p.m. and initially attempted to force their way into a residence believed to have been their primary target.
Residents said the attackers were unable to gain access after a police patrol team, alerted to the incident, arrived at the scene. ‘
The gunmen reportedly exchanged gunfire with the security operatives before retreating from the area.
During their escape, the attackers allegedly intercepted a pastor who was driving home, forced him out of his vehicle, and abducted him.
The gunmen also reportedly kidnapped two other residents they encountered along the road while fleeing the community.
Security personnel later recovered the pastor’s abandoned vehicle along a road within the neighbourhood.
In the course of the attack, a local security guard was killed, while another resident sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The injured victim was reportedly rushed to a hospital by police officers for medical treatment.
Residents also reported hearing intermittent gunfire across the community until about 2 a.m., raising fears among locals and prompting heightened security concerns.
The latest incident adds to growing worries over the activities of armed groups operating in and around Nigeria’s capital, despite the proximity of some affected communities to key government facilities and military installations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement on the attack or confirmed whether any arrests had been made.
Authorities are expected to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted victims and track down those responsible.
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