Gunmen strike again in Kwara community, abduct rice farmers

Kwara State has witnessed yet another act of terror as gunmen kidnapped four rice farmers in Bokungi Village, Edu Local Government Area on Wednesday evening.

Sources told journalists that the attack occurred while the farmers were working in their fields during the peak of the harvest season.

This incident comes just 24 hours after a violent church attack in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, highlighting the growing security challenges facing communities across the country.

A community source said the attackers arrived suddenly and surrounded the farmers as they gathered their harvested rice.

“It has been confirmed that bandits struck again at Bokungi under the Lafiagi Emirate. Four people were abducted. Information is still emerging,” the source said.

Residents reported that the gunmen operated freely for several minutes without any resistance, forcing the farmers into the nearby bush before taking them away to an unknown location.

Community members said rising insecurity in Edu LGA has pushed many farming settlements into fear and near abandonment, especially during the harvest period when farmers are most vulnerable.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had not released an official statement.

This latest incident follows Tuesday’s deadly attack in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, where terrorists stormed a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.

Witnesses said the armed men invaded the church during a meeting and immediately opened fire, causing worshippers to scatter in panic.

Three members were shot dead instantly, while an unspecified number of people were seized and taken away.

“The gunmen came in suddenly and started shooting. Three people were killed instantly,” one source said.

“They gathered others at gunpoint and marched them into the bush. We still don’t know the exact number taken.”

The attackers were said to have escaped through bush paths that link Eruku to neighbouring communities, leaving residents terrified and confused.