March 31, (THEWILL) – Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the traditional ruler of Bukpe community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Hassan Shamidozhi.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the palace on Wednesday night, shot randomly to frighten locals, before whisking the monarch away.
Confirming the incident, the monarch’s brother, Malam Jibrin D. Gimba said the unknown gunmen invaded the palace around 9:32 pm on Wednesday.
“I just walked into my house after his palace when he said he wanted to take a shower, after which he will come out and rest in front of his palace to take some fresh air.
“Some few minutes later, I started hearing gunshots… I watched through my window and discovered that the kidnappers had whisked him away”, said Gimba, who is the Chief Imam of the Community’s Central Mosque.
Gimba told newsmen that policemen arrived at the location some moments after the attack.
The spokesperson of the FCT police command, DSP Adeh Josephine, had not responded to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
The incident is the latest in a string of abductions targeted at traditional rulers in the nation’s capital.
In December 2019, Ibrahim Pada, the traditional ruler of Rubochi community in Kuje area council of the FCT was abducted by gunmen.
Pada was kidnapped at his residence, after his attackers, who were dressed in military uniform, shot in the air before carting him away.
Two children of the monarch were reportedly injured in the attack. He was later released after a few days in captivity.
Earlier in September, five persons were kidnapped in the city within 24 hours.
A month later, nine persons, including a 12-year-old boy, were kidnapped in Pegi, a community in Kuje area council.
