ABUJA – The peaceful farming community of Kungaboku is in mourning following a night of terror on Thursday, March 5, 2026. In a violent invasion that has left local families devastated, suspected bandits abducted a retired military officer, Bankole Ganiyu, and three young children, leaving a trail of grief and a community on edge.
A Night of Fear
The assault, which unfolded between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, was a calculated strike against the quiet settlement near Byazhin. The gunmen first stormed the Ganiyu residence, seizing the retired officer and the three children. In a harrowing escape, Ganiyu’s wife—a serving police officer—managed to save two other children as they fled into the darkness.
The violence did not stop there. The attackers moved to a nearby farm settlement, where the night took a deadly turn:
- A dedicated vigilante guarding the area was killed while on duty.
- Three farm workers were snatched and forced into the bush.
- Six others narrowly escaped with their lives, fleeing the gunfire.
Families in Anguish
For the residents of Kungaboku, this is not just a security breach; it is a deeply personal tragedy. The community is a vital hub for livestock and poultry farmers who now fear for their lives and livelihoods. Community leaders, including Chief Ishaya Jagaba, spoke with heavy hearts on Sunday, March 8, describing the “total helplessness” of watching their neighbours being torn away.
This latest raid echoes a painful memory from October 2025, when a prominent local veterinarian, Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbu, was murdered and his three children kidnapped in a similar fashion.
A Desperate Plea for Help
In an emergency gathering on Sunday, the community issued a tearful appeal to the FCT Administration. They are begging for:
- The immediate setup of a permanent police post to protect their homes.
- Security patrols for the farm settlements that feed the capital.
- Urgent road repairs, as the deplorable state of the access paths prevented security forces from arriving in time to stop the abduction.
The Hope for a Safe Return
As of Sunday afternoon, there has been no word from the captors, leaving the families of Bankole Ganiyu and the missing children in an agonizing state of suspense. While CSP Adache and his team have moved into the area to begin a rescue operation, the people of Kungaboku are holding a prayer vigil, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones.
