A police officer has been killed after armed bandits launched a violent attack on Guto, a border community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in the early hours of Thursday.
The incident occurred at about 1:10 a.m. when an estimated 30 gunmen invaded the community in an attempt to abduct a resident and members of his family. A distress call was immediately placed to the police.
Operatives from the Bwari Division, supported by personnel of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS), responded swiftly. However, upon sighting the security team, the attackers opened fire, leading to a prolonged exchange of gunshots.
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, two of the assailants were neutralised during the confrontation, forcing the remaining gunmen to flee into nearby bushes and rocky terrain.
She disclosed that the encounter came at a tragic cost, as one police officer sustained severe gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the Bwari General Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, has ordered the deployment of additional personnel to the area and directed a comprehensive investigation aimed at tracking down the fleeing suspects. He assured residents that normalcy has been restored.
SP Adeh described the fallen officer as a dedicated operative who “paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” reaffirming the Command’s commitment to combating insecurity across the Federal Capital Territory.
