A police officer has been shot dead during a violent confrontation between security operatives and a group of suspected bandits who stormed Guto village, a border community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The attack, which took place in the early hours of Thursday, escalated into a gun battle that left two of the attackers dead and sent residents fleeing into the night.
According to information gathered from the FCT Police Command, the incident occurred at about 1:10 a.m. when an estimated 30 armed men invaded the community. Their mission was believed to be the abduction of a resident and members of his family. Such attacks have become increasingly common in many parts of the FCT, especially in rural and border communities where criminals often exploit bush paths and rocky terrains to launch operations and escape.
Residents of Guto village were jolted awake by the sound of gunshots when the attackers arrived. A distress call was quickly placed to the Bwari Police Division. Thanks to what authorities described as a “swift and coordinated response,” police operatives mobilized to the scene without delay.
Officers from the Bwari Division were joined by personnel of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS), a unit known for responding to high-risk situations and violent crimes across the country. As the officers approached the community, the bandits reportedly opened fire, leading to a fierce and prolonged exchange.
The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said the shootout prevented what would have been a mass abduction. According to her, many families had already been surrounded by the attackers before the police intervened, and the gun duel forced the criminals to abandon their initial objective.
In the course of the exchange, police operatives shot and killed two members of the criminal gang. The others narrowly escaped, retreating into the dense bushes and rocky hills that surround the village. These rugged areas have often served as hideouts for criminal groups who exploit the difficult terrain to evade capture.
While the police succeeded in foiling the attempted kidnapping, the victory was overshadowed by the loss of one of their own. A police officer was fatally wounded during the battle when he was hit by bullets fired by the attackers. He was rushed to Bwari General Hospital but was later confirmed dead.
SP Adeh described the officer as a brave member of the force who “paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” adding that his sacrifice saved the lives of many residents who would otherwise have been abducted.
Following the attack, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, ordered the deployment of additional personnel to Guto and nearby communities. He also launched a full-scale investigation to track down the fleeing suspects, vowing that the police would not rest until the attackers are apprehended.
CP Dantawaye assured residents that normalcy had been restored, while encouraging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly. He noted that the police have intensified patrols around border communities in Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and other vulnerable areas.
“We are committed to ensuring that these criminals are flushed out. The safety of residents remains our top priority,” he said.
The attack on Guto village adds to growing concerns about insecurity in the outskirts of Abuja. In recent years, bandit and kidnap gangs have increasingly targeted rural communities around the FCT, including Karshi, Kuje, Kwali, Bwari, and parts of Gwagwalada.
While the city center remains relatively secure, many suburban communities have experienced raids, kidnappings, and violent clashes involving heavily armed criminal groups. Security analysts warn that the proximity of these communities to the border areas of Niger, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states makes them vulnerable, as criminals often move through forests and mountains that connect the zones.
Local residents say the Guto attack is not the first time their community has been threatened. Some argue that more needs to be done to increase the presence of police and other security agencies, especially during the night when most attacks occur.
Following the attack, many residents expressed fear and frustration over the growing insecurity in the area. However, they also praised the police for their swift intervention.
One community member who asked not to be named said, “If the police had not come on time, many families would have been taken last night. We heard that the gunmen came in large numbers. They surrounded a house and were preparing to take the occupants away.”
Another resident described the incident as one of the most terrifying experiences the community has faced, saying that people hid under beds, inside bathrooms, and in nearby farmlands as the gun battle raged.
The community is now calling for more security patrols, the creation of security outposts, and better intelligence sharing between villagers and security agencies.
The death of the police officer has once again highlighted the dangers faced by security operatives in Nigeria. Across the country, many officers have been killed while responding to violent crimes, including attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents.
For many residents, the incident serves as both a warning and a reminder of the urgency of improving security across Nigeria’s capital territory. While the police successfully stopped a major kidnapping, the loss of an officer and the presence of heavily armed criminals near the FCT remain troubling signs.
