Tension in Kwara as Bandits Kill 10, Abduct Five in Fresh Attack

Fresh violence has rocked Kwara State after armed bandits launched an attack on a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, killing at least 10 people and abducting five others.

The assailants, described by residents as heavily armed and operating in large numbers, stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday.

Witnesses said the attackers fired sporadically, leaving a trail of fear and destruction. Among the victims were members of local vigilante groups and villagers who tried to resist the onslaught.

Reports indicate that the bandits also kidnapped five people, whisking them away to an unknown destination.

The incident has triggered widespread panic, with many residents fleeing to neighbouring villages for safety.

While some accounts identified the victims primarily as vigilantes and forest guards, others reported that a traditional leader, the Baale of the village, was among those killed. The discrepancy in details has highlighted the confusion that often follows such violent raids, though the death toll of 10 has been consistently confirmed.

The Kwara State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources within the security community confirmed that reinforcements had been deployed to the affected area. Local groups, including the Nupe Descendants Union, have appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to act swiftly, warning that unchecked violence could spread across other parts of the state.

This latest attack underscores the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s north-central region, where communities continue to face deadly raids by armed groups engaged in killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling.

With families now grieving their losses and others anxiously awaiting news of abducted relatives, the demand for stronger government intervention has become more urgent than ever.