Bandits attack Kwara communities, kill pregnant woman, cleric, others

Tragedy struck Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday when bandits launched coordinated attacks on several villages, leaving multiple people dead and abducting at least eight residents.

Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen, who rode into Motokun, Egboro, and Fanagun on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately, sending villagers fleeing into nearby bushes for safety. Among those killed were a pregnant woman, a cleric, and other locals caught in the crossfire.

According to vigilante commander Gina Gana, the assault followed a clash between troops and the bandits a day earlier, during which cattle were rustled. He added that the attackers may have struck in retaliation, targeting communities already vulnerable to insecurity.

He confirmed that some of the attackers were injured during the confrontation.

Community members narrated that the assailants operated freely for hours without security intervention, carting away no fewer than 15 motorcycles and abducting three Fulani men along with their cattle.

One eyewitness said, “A woman who was shot later died at Patigi General Hospital. About eight people were taken away, and several others injured.”

“We are pleading with the government to come to our aid as these attacks are becoming rampant.”

Another community leader, Mallam Mohammed, described how the bandits moved from Motokun to Egboro, targeting wealthy individuals for ransom.

He revealed that a cleric visiting the village was shot dead and mutilated in the attack, which happened between 6 and 7 a.m.

He lamented that Patigi has faced repeated assaults on villages including Lata, Ndanaku, Takarfu, Egboro, and Lele, with residents now resorting to prayers.

The Chairman of Patigi Local Government, Hon. Ahmed Rufai Adam, confirmed the incident but said he was in a critical security meeting over the matter.

The Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor, Saliu Bello, had yet to respond to inquiries at press time.

The attack occurred days after the Kwara State Government moved the 2025 Batch B Stream II NYSC orientation camp from its permanent site in Yikpata to Ilorin Polytechnic, citing insecurity in Kwara North.

The state also ordered restrictions on cattle markets to curb criminal activities.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, speaking at a strategic consultation in Omu Aran, said his administration would spare no resources to strengthen security but stressed that communities must help expose informants aiding criminals.

“Security is a collective responsibility, and your partnership with security agencies is vital,” he said.

A retired AIG, Adisa Bolanta, advised communities to monitor strangers settling in their areas, document attack patterns, and provide intelligence to security agencies.

“The police are not magicians. If residents truly want help, they must share information, no matter how little,” he added.