Residents of MOPOL Quarters, a small settlement near Nyanya on the border between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State, are still reeling from shock and fear after about 20 armed robbers launched a coordinated overnight attack on the community, leaving several residents injured and carting away cash, mobile phones, and other valuables worth millions of naira.
The terrifying invasion reportedly began around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, when about 20 heavily armed men riding motorcycles stormed the community. Witnesses said the attackers moved from one house to another, violently banging on windows, forcing open gates and doors, and terrorising helpless residents who had little or no means of escape.
Afrilensnews gathered that the robbers operated for an extended period without resistance, carting away an estimated 50 smartphones, including iPhones, other expensive mobile devices, laptops and valuables, while physically assaulting some residents who attempted to resist or protect their belongings.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, described the incident as one of the worst attacks the community has experienced in recent times.
“They were many, about 20 of them, riding on motorcycles. They moved from one compound to another, breaking gates and banging windows without fear. They spoke Hausa and were chanting dangerous slogans. Everybody was terrified. We thought we were going to die,” the witness said.
The eyewitness further claimed that desperate efforts by residents to alert security agencies yielded no immediate response.
“All attempts to reach the Nyanya Police Division and the FCT Command proved abortive while the attack was going on. We were completely abandoned,” the resident alleged.
The incident has thrown the once peaceful settlement into panic, with many families reportedly afraid to sleep in their homes. Some residents are said to be considering relocating over fears that the attackers could return.
Community members are now calling on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to urgently strengthen surveillance, increase patrols and establish a rapid emergency response system to protect lives and property in the border settlement.
Residents warned that failure to improve security could embolden criminal gangs, expose neighbouring communities to similar attacks and further deepen insecurity along the FCT–Nasarawa border. They urged the authorities to launch a thorough investigation, track down the perpetrators and restore confidence among citizens living in the area.
At the time of filing this report, the FCT Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident. The claims by residents regarding the attack and the alleged inability to reach the police had not been independently verified.
