Special Report: FCT residents in panic over attack on soldiers by terrorists

By Doosuur Iwambe

Residents in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT have said that they are living in fear after some suspected terrorists injured three soldiers attached to the Guards Brigade in the capital city.

It was gatherer that some communities in the FCT have received communications from the terrorists notifying them of attacks.

The troops were on routine patrol on Kubwa-Bwari Road when the incident occured.

Military sources said there were intelligence reports that the terrorists were laying siege on the FCT intending to attack a higher institution and other government facilities in Bwari.
The sources said detectives were on the trail of the assailants.

The FCT Police Command also said, there was no cause for alarm and urged residents to go about their normal duties.

A source said the troops of 7 Guards Battalion on routine patrol along Kubwa – Bwari road were ambushed by suspected terrorists.

He added that three soldiers injured during the attack were evacuated to the hospital for medical attention.

“The ambush happening within the general area of Bwari shows that the terrorists are actually within the location and possibly to carry out their plans of attacking the Law School in Bwari as earlier reported,” the source said.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, confirmed that soldiers were attacked by suspected terrorists.

He added that the injured soldiers were receiving treatment.
Captain Abakpa said: “They were attacked and the attack was successfully repelled. We had a few wounded in action and they have been taken to the hospital and receiving treatments.

“At the moment, our troops are still combing the general area to get rid of the criminals that have been threatening the general area.

“It is advised that residents go about their lawful businesses and keep cooperating with us by giving us timely information to enable us to win the fight against the criminals.”

This development is coming few weeks after Terrorist group, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the July 9 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja, where inmates, including Boko Haram terrorists, were freed.

The terrorist group has in a short video released , said it succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners.

The 38 seconds video released by the Islamic State’s A’maq Agency had a caption in Arabic, translated as “Fighters of Islamic State attacked Kuje prison in Abuja yesterday and succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners.”

In the footage, sporadic gunshots were heard and vehicles in the custodial centre were set ablaze by attackers.

A statement from the Nigerian Correctional Service said: “A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As at the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large.”

In the meantime, some residents in the capital who spoke with NaijaBlitzNews.com have expressed fear over the development saying, they are living at the mercy of God and protection.

Mr Patrick Otukpa, a spare-part dealer at Lugbe timber shade market Abuja said that he has stopped his family from going to church during to fear of the unknown.

” Myself and family no longer go to church because of fear. If they cam attack the whole Kuje prison and the presidential troop, then we are no longer safe”, he said.

“Another resident who simply identified herself as Abimbola Abiola, a civil servant residing in Kubwa, an out sketch town in FCT said, she no longer hang out with friends like before due to fear of insecurity, DailyTimesNGR gathered.

She said; ” I rushed home these days after close of work because I feel no where is safe again. I am not even talking about the small theft, like motor cycle riders snatching bags and stabbing people. My is gradually turning to a routine now”.

Another resident who claimed to be an alumnus of the FGC, Kwali, confirmed that gunshots were heard before the closure of the school yesterday.

It was also widely rumoured that Birgham University has been contacted by terrorists. The university is located in Nasarawa State, near the nation’s capital.
An unconfirmed report said terrorists were camping on Karshi hill. Residents alleged that the terrorists have hoisted their flag on the hill.

Security has been beefed up around the Nigeria Law School in Bwari.

The FCT Education Secretariat also issued a statement on Monday, informing parents and guardians that the 2021/2022 academic calendar for FCT schools will end tomorrow.

Also, the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) advised all Junior Secondary schools to end their examinations tomorrow (today).

However, the FCT Police Command spokesman Josephine Adeh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said police have no cause to react to the alleged threats, adding that there is no cause for alarm.

Adah said: “We did not issue any statement on this. How can I go and react to what I don’t know? Am I working on the education board? As far as the police are concerned, there is no tension and no situation; no panic.

“We have been doing our job, and we do not know where that one is coming from.