Suspected bandits have launched coordinated attacks on three rural communities across two local government areas of Kwara State, abducting several residents, injuring others, and rustling cattle in another attack that has left locals in fear.
Bellnews gathered that the attacks occurred late Wednesday night, targeting Iwo Odo-Ore in Isin Local Government Area, as well as Gaa-Idera and Gaa Dembo-Agunjin communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Multiple security sources confirmed to Bellnews on Thursday that the assailants struck the communities almost simultaneously, suggesting a high level of coordination and planning.
“In Gaa-Odera, they shot at two people and kidnapped two people,” one of the sources disclosed.
The violence was particularly severe in Iwo Odo-Ore, where at least five residents were abducted, including a prominent local figure, Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa, alongside four Hausa residents.
“Alhaji Yusuf is a well-known politician in that axis and the proprietor of a nursery and primary school located at Oke-Onigbin and also in Lagos State,” the source said.
The source further revealed that Yusuf had been preparing for a family event prior to the attack.
“Alhaji Yusuf had already planned an Islamic graduation ceremony ‘Walimoh’ for his child in Lagos on Saturday,” the source added.
In a separate account, another source detailed the extent of the attacks in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where the bandits reportedly abducted six persons in Gaa Dembo-Agunjin and two persons in Gaa-Idera.
“Gaa-Agunjin, six people were kidnapped, and in Gaa-Idera, two persons were kidnapped while they were planning a wedding scheduled for today (Thursday),” the source explained.
The attackers reportedly targeted individuals connected to the wedding ceremony, including close family members.
“They kidnapped the bride’s mother and one other person, and also rustled cattle during the attack,” the source said.
During the attack, the bandits opened fire on residents, leaving at least two people injured.
“The bandits shot at two people; a bullet hit one person in the hand,” another source confirmed.
The attacks have heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in Kwara State, particularly in Kwara south that have increasingly come under threat from armed groups.