INSECURITY: Bandits kill resident, abduct two women in Kwara 

Suspected bandits have killed a resident and abducted two women during an attack on a Fulani settlement in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Confirming the attack on Tuesday, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said one person was killed while two women were kidnapped.

“Yes, one man was killed while two women, 25 and 35 years of age, who are wives of the Seriki Fulani, were abducted,” Mr Ojo stated.

The police commissioner added that preliminary investigations showed the gunmen specifically targeted the Fulani leader, identified as an Ardo.

“The attackers targeted the Fulani leader, Ardo. And for now, we are still on their trail because before we got there, the military had repelled them before they ran into the forest, but we are on their trail,” he said.

The attack reportedly occurred on Monday night in the Sodo/Sawmill area on the outskirts of the town, throwing the community into panic.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the settlement at about 8pm, firing sporadically as villagers fled for safety.

According to local sources, the attackers were believed to be targeting a prominent Fulani leader in the area but failed to locate him during the operation.

Two women abducted during attack

After allegedly failing to capture the community leader, the gunmen reportedly abducted two women said to be wives of the Fulani leader before escaping from the area.

A resident was also shot dead during the incident.

Security operatives were said to have responded following distress calls from residents, while military personnel reportedly engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into a nearby forest.

Growing security concerns in Kwara North

The latest attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in Edu Local Government Area and neighbouring communities in the Kwara North axis.

Residents have repeatedly called on security agencies and the government to intensify operations against criminal groups operating in forests and remote communities across the region.

The incident adds to the growing cases of banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks affecting several communities in parts of North Central Nigeria.