Dare Babalola
Fear and confusion swept through residents of the Ikerin/Ajuba community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected bandits reportedly attacked the area on Saturday night, abducting several villagers and leaving others injured, while some residents are feared dead.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have heightened insecurity concerns across communities in Kwara South, where kidnappings and armed assaults have become increasingly frequent in recent months.
According to local sources, the gunmen invaded the community late at night and opened fire sporadically, causing panic among residents.
A source in the area confirmed the incident but said the exact number of victims had yet to be determined.
“Yes, the attack happened, but we are still trying to confirm the number of people kidnapped, injured or killed,” the source said.
Residents said many villagers fled into nearby bushes and surrounding areas as the attackers reportedly operated for an extended period without resistance.
“The gunshots were everywhere and people ran in different directions for safety. Right now, some people are still missing and many families cannot account for their relatives,” another resident said anonymously due to security concerns.
Community leaders and security operatives were reportedly assessing the situation as of Sunday, while efforts were ongoing to determine the extent of casualties and the number of those abducted.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures in rural communities across Kwara South, with residents expressing frustration over recurring attacks, kidnappings for ransom and growing threats to farming and daily economic activities.
Many locals said the persistent insecurity has continued to disrupt normal life in the area, forcing residents to live in fear.
