Bandits have launched fresh assaults on rural communities in Kwara State, killing a policeman and abducting several villagers in separate incidents across three local government areas.
In Edu Local Government Area, gunmen invaded Chekugi village in the Lafiagi Emirate during an early morning raid on Wednesday, whisking away four residents.
The attack came less than 24 hours after bandits stormed Matokun village in Patigi Local Government Area, where a pregnant woman was reportedly killed and at least five others injured.
Residents told PUNCH Metro that the attackers operated for more than five hours, holding villagers hostage before leaving with 12 captives.
Four later escaped, while eight remain in captivity.
As of press time, the abductors had yet to make any ransom demand.
One of the injured victims was transferred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital after doctors at the General Hospital, Patigi, declared his case beyond their capacity.
An eyewitness said the attacks forced residents to flee Matokun, leaving the community deserted.
He noted that an attempt to alert the army unit in Patigi ahead of the raid was unsuccessful, as soldiers reportedly delayed intervention while waiting for reinforcements.
“The community has been deserted; not a single household is left. Before the criminals arrived, our people alerted the army unit in Patigi when they got wind of the planned attack. Sadly, no soldier responded to our cries for help. Later, we were told they were waiting for reinforcement from as far away as Lafiagi.
“Later in the night, we learnt the bandits also attacked Chekugi village in Edu. These attacks are one too many. Our people are traumatised. Lives and property are being wasted, farms are abandoned, and businesses crippled. We cannot quantify how much our local governments have lost to this violence,” he said.
The source appealed for urgent government support in providing logistics to security agencies, hunters, and vigilantes working in the area.
Meanwhile, in Ifelodun Local Government Area, suspected gunmen attacked a mining site at Agbonran on Tuesday, killing a police orderly attached to a Chinese company, Corporal Salisu Shamaki.
Three of his colleagues remain missing, though the Chinese miners escaped unhurt.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed Shamaki’s killing in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro.
However, he said confirmation was still being sought on the Edu and Patigi incidents.
Since January 2025, banditry and kidnappings have surged across Kwara communities in Patigi, Kaiama, Baruten, Edu, and Ifelodun LGAs, leaving several residents dead, many abducted and farmlands abandoned. credit: Punch
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