Bandits Kill Pregnant Woman, 9 Others in Kwara Community

Bandits Kill Pregnant Woman, 9 Others in Kwara Community

Insecurity in Kwara State has worsened, with bandits launching a deadly attack on Tuesday on several villages in the Patigi Local Government Area.

The attack resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and nine others. Residents reported that the bandits abducted eight people and injured several more.

The assailants, arriving in large numbers on motorcycles, invaded Motokun and Egboro communities, firing sporadically and causing residents to flee in panic.

Gina Gana, a vigilante commander, revealed that the attack followed a confrontation between troops and the bandits the previous day, during which the bandits rustled dozens of cattle in coordinated strikes across multiple communities.

At least four of the attackers were seriously wounded in the ensuing gunfight.

A resident described how the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the communities on motorcycles, firing continuously. It was also confirmed that Fanagun village in Tsaragi Emirate was attacked, where three Fulani men and their cattle were abducted. The bandits operated for hours without immediate security intervention.

Hon James Ibrahim, a resident, expressed the shock of the communities, recounting how people fled Motokun and nearby areas early that morning. One woman, shot during the attack, later died at Patigi General Hospital, and around eight people were taken captive.

The attackers also stole no fewer than 15 motorcycles, prompting residents to call on the government for urgent help as these attacks escalate.

Community leader Mallam Mohammed confirmed the abduction of about eight people, explaining that the bandits first struck Motokun, then moved on to Egboro. Most villagers have since fled toward Patigi.

The situation is complicated by the intermarriage between many Fulani families and locals, making it difficult to identify informants. Some of the abducted are well-known individuals targeted for ransom.

Resistance to the attack was met with gunfire. A cleric from Patigi, known for visiting the village to preach, was shot dead and mutilated, marking a horrific scene between 6 and 7 a.m.

Bandit attacks have become nearly weekly occurrences in Patigi, affecting villages such as Lata, Ndanaku, Takarfu, Motokun, Egboro, and Lele. While soldiers and vigilantes strive to respond, attacks often occur before they can arrive. Residents have resorted to prayers following a recent meeting and appeal for intensified government action and reinforcements.

The Chairman of Patigi Local Government, Honorable Ahmed Rufai Adam, confirmed he was in a critical security meeting regarding the incident. The Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor requested a text message for further communication but had not yet responded.

This latest assault occurred shortly after the Kwara State Government relocated the 2025 Batch B Stream II National Youth Service Corps orientation camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin. Additionally, cattle markets were temporarily closed then restricted to limited hours, prompted by escalating insecurity in Kwara North, especially in Edu and Patigi areas.

Kwara’s NYSC coordinator noted about 1,800 corps members are expected for the 21-day service exercise, with the camp relocation necessary due to recent threats near the original location.

Furthermore, the Forum of Seven Local Government Chairmen in Kwara South ordered the indefinite shutdown of all cattle markets to prevent criminal infiltration. Other markets’ operation hours were also restricted to close by 6:00 pm on market days, citing the need to curb insecurity.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security, emphasizing that no resources would be spared to eliminate criminal elements threatening peace in the state. Speaking during a strategic consultation in Omu Aran, he called for the vigilance and collective effort of all stakeholders to support security agencies in protecting communities.

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Adisa Bolanta advised communities to organize themselves to prevent infiltration, regulate newcomers, and document attack patterns for police intelligence. He stressed the importance of community cooperation, stating security agencies cannot succeed without local residents’ active support and information.

Affected communities must formally report incidents to the Inspector General of Police, the state government, and relevant agencies, as police efforts alone cannot succeed without community input.

This comprehensive account captures the recent deadly bandit attack and the broader implications for security in Kwara State.