Gunmen kill, kidnap residents in Kwara community
Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Saturday, attacked a community in Kwara State, killing some residents and abducting several others.
The attack reportedly took place in the evening when the gunmen stormed the community, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee their homes.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants moved from house to house, setting structures ablaze and dragging victims out before whisking them away.
Residents said those killed were unable to escape during the sudden invasion, while those abducted were taken into the forest.
A community leader said the incident had thrown the area into mourning, describing it as one of the deadliest attacks in recent months.
“The gunmen came heavily armed. They killed some people and kidnapped others. People are traumatised,” he said.
It was gathered that many residents fled to neighbouring communities following the attack, abandoning their homes for fear of further violence.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying security operatives had been deployed to restore order.
The police spokesperson, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, said investigations had commenced and efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.
The attack has renewed concerns over rising insecurity in rural Kwara communities, particularly those close to forested areas.
Residents accused security agencies of slow response, saying the attackers had enough time to carry out their operation.
As of the time of filing this report, normal activities had yet to resume in the community, while fear continued to grip residents.
