Nigeria Nigerian Military Faces Backlash as 20 Abducted in Abuja's Dawaki Amid Siege on Banex Plaza

Gunmen, dressed as soldiers, stormed Abuja's Dawaki community, abducting at least 20 people in a daring evening attack. Witnesses described chaos as armed assailants overwhelmed the neighborhood. Despite a swift security response, the bandits escaped, sparking criticism online of military priorities amidst ongoing insecurity in Nigeria's capital.

Gunmen believed to number around 50 and clad in military uniforms, launched a brazen assault on the Dawaki community in Abuja. The targeted attack occurred around 7:30 pm on Sunday, plunging the bustling neighborhood into chaos. Witnesses reported a sustained operation lasting until approximately 8:30 pm, during which armed assailants, armed with an array of weapons, conducted a systematic abduction spree. According to eyewitnesses, the bandits stormed the area with a level of organization and firepower that overwhelmed residents and security personnel alike. The audacious nature of the assault, coupled with the sheer number of perpetrators, has left the community reeling in shock and disbelief.

Among those abducted were at least 20 individuals, taken from their homes and the streets surrounding Fulani Junction. While some managed to escape the clutches of their captors, others were forcefully taken towards a nearby mountainous area. In response to the abduction, a swift security operation ensued, with personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) and soldiers converging on the scene. Despite a fierce exchange of gunfire, the bandits managed to evade capture, leaving behind a trail of destruction and trauma.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of the harrowing ordeal, social media platforms are ablaze with criticism directed at the Nigerian Army's perceived misplaced priorities. Nigerians lament the military's focus on laying siege at Banex Plaza while armed bandits continue to rampage unchecked, highlighting a glaring disconnect between security efforts and the escalating threat posed by criminal elements.