Gunmen invade Abuja palace, abduct traditional ruler

Gunmen have abducted a traditional ruler in Bukpe community of Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The gunmen were said to have invaded the palace of the monarch, Hassan Shamidozhi, on Wednesday night, shooting randomly to scare away people before whisking him away.

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 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 of the same year, five persons were kidnapped in the city within 24 hours.

A month after, nine persons, including a 12-year-old boy, were kidnapped in Pegi, a community in Kuje area council.The police spokesperson for the FCT, Adeh Josephine, has been contacted but yet to give comment over the incident.