Gunmen terrorising Abuja have kidnapped at least twelve persons during an invasion of a residential estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The victims were abducted from Sagwari Estate Layout, in the Dutse-Alhaji area of the FCT at about 7:30pm.

The gunmen reportedly attacked two gated residential areas, kidnapping a total of nine persons, including a woman and her four children, the assailants were said to have dressed as military men.

It’s also gathered that the gunmen later invaded a nearby hotel and kidnapped the hotel receptionist and barman, who were on duty at the time.

An eyewitness, Wilfred Akikayo, who was privy to the incident, said the kidnappers’ operation was well-coordinated as they raided few houses swiftly and escaped with their victims

He disclosed that the attackers strategy was to knock on doors and kidnap whoever opened.

“The kidnappers stormed Sagwari Estate Layout at about 7:30-8:00pm. It seemed well-planned as they seemed to have already planned their exit through the mountain top behind the estate.

“Actually, I was a witness to the act, and we gave the kidnappers some chase, but they had already moved the victims into the hills behind the estate. We had to wait for police reinforcement before venturing after them, which took about 20 minutes before three armed MOPOL men showed up.

“A lady ran from one of the houses into a hotel in the estate and chasing her there was what led to the kidnapping of two of the hotel staff.

“The DSS was later informed and some showed up about 30 minutes later, and they fired gunshots into the hills possibly to get a response by the kidnappers so as to engage them but they did not get that” he said

A security guard in one of the residences, who gave his name only as John, narrated that the gunmen beat and tied him up, but that he managed to escape when the kidnappers got distracted while trying to round up other victims.

“I went out to buy something, so as I was about to lock the gate, they pushed it and entered. They tore my clothes and tied me up, before entering the house. Then, they brought out the people and made all of us sit down outside. So, while they were distracted, I managed to escape” Punch quoted him as saying.

He said three of them escaped, one pastor coming down from the mountain, a guy in the other compound, and myself.

The spokesperson, FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, has not commented on the incident.