Bandits Raid Kwara Communities, Abduct Residents in Coordinated Night Attacks

Suspected bandits on Thursday night launched coordinated attacks on communities in Isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State, abducting residents and triggering fresh security concerns in the affected areas.

The attacks reportedly occurred simultaneously around 10 p.m. in Gaa-Alla and Gaa-Oke Abba communities in Isin Local Government Area, as well as Famole community in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident and said security agencies had already launched efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

“I can only confirm that in Gaa-Alla community two people were abducted and that the police, in conjunction with the military and forest guards, are on the trail of the assailants,” the commissioner said.

Residents, however, claimed the attacks may have affected more people than officially confirmed.

Sources in the communities alleged that several residents were kidnapped during the assaults, while one person was reportedly killed in Famole community following an exchange of gunfire between residents and the attackers.

A local source said at least two persons were abducted in Gaa-Alla, while efforts were ongoing to determine the full extent of the attack in Gaa-Oke Abba.

“The number of people kidnapped in Gaa-Oke Abba is still unknown because efforts are ongoing to establish the full extent of the incident,” the source said.

Famole community, located along the Share-Oke-Ode Road near the Oyi River in Oke-Ode Ward II of Ifelodun Local Government Area, was said to have witnessed the most violent confrontation during the attacks.

Security agencies have since intensified operations in the affected areas as efforts continue to track down the gunmen and secure the release of those abducted.

The latest attacks underscore ongoing security challenges confronting rural communities in parts of Kwara State despite increased surveillance and joint security operations.