No fewer than eleven villagers lost their lives in a late-night attack on Kuseki community, located within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory. The tragic incident occurred last Friday at approximately 10:47 pm, while most residents were asleep.
According to Danladi Usman, a local resident who spoke to DAILY TRUST, the attackers entered the village through a bush path, carrying firearms and machetes. They stormed several homes, shooting at residents without warning. Usman shared that the community had enjoyed peace for years and had no known disputes with outsiders, making the attack even more shocking.
“I was lucky,” he said. “I had stepped out to the backyard toilet when I heard the first gunshots. I stayed hidden there for nearly 45 minutes, fearing for my life.” Upon returning inside, he discovered two of his sons had been shot. “I saw them in a pool of blood. I was confused. There was screaming all over the village.”
Many residents, out of fear, fled their homes that night, some taking refuge in nearby bushes. Two young men, who had hidden in the ceiling of Usman’s home, later helped him carry his injured sons to a nearby hospital. While nine were killed on the spot, two others – a woman and a man – later died from injuries while receiving treatment at Godiya Clinic in Gadabuke, Nasarawa State.
The attackers also looted a local provision store and killed the owner, an Igbo trader known in the village.
Usman noted that the attackers seemed to have timed their strike carefully. That same night, all local vigilante members had traveled to Nakuse village for a meeting, leaving Kuseki unguarded.
Village head Mr. Gomo Dankwali confirmed the attack. He said, “It’s God that also saved me because I was inside my room when I started hearing gunshots while some people were crying and shouting.” Dankwali also suspects the attackers may have been hired, stating that the village had no known conflicts.
He added that the matter has been reported to the district head of Karshi and that police officers visited the village on Saturday to collect information but have yet to return with updates. The victims have since been buried by their families.
In response, the Gade Youth Movement (GYM) condemned the violence. Speaking over the phone, GYM chairman Bello Ahmed called the attack “senseless and barbaric.” He urged police to act swiftly to capture the culprits and asked residents to stay calm and united.
Meanwhile, Gade elders from the Gade Development and Cultural Association (GADECA) also visited the community. Representing the group, Mr. Roland Sabon Goje said, “We pray for the souls of those lost and urge the authorities to ensure justice is served.”
While local police confirmed the attack, they redirected further inquiries to the FCT Police Command. Efforts to reach the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful as of press time.
