Bandits Kill Five Villagers, Three Soldiers In Deadly Ambush, Abduct Women, Children In Kwara Communities

Ilorin, Kwara State– No fewer than five persons, including three soldiers, have been confirmed killed following a coordinated and deadly attack by suspected bandits on the twin communities of Mari and Dina in Patigi Local Government Area.

Afrika Eyes gathered that the bloody incident occurred on Thursday when heavily armed assailants invaded the rural settlements, unleashing terror on unsuspecting residents.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the attackers stormed Mari and Dina villages in a well-coordinated operation, shooting sporadically as residents fled for safety.

A source told Afrika Eyes that at least five villagers were confirmed dead in the aftermath of the attack, while several others sustained degrees of gunshot wounds and injuries in the chaos that ensued.

“People were running in different directions. Some were hit by bullets while trying to escape. It was a very terrible scene,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that the bandits abducted an unspecified number of residents, including women and children, dragging them into the surrounding forest.

“They took many people away, especially women and children. As we speak, families are in distress because they don’t know the fate of their loved ones,” the source added.

It was learnt that the Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Patigi was alerted shortly after the attack began. In response, a team of military personnel was swiftly mobilised to the area in a bid to repel the attackers and rescue the kidnapped victims.

However, the rescue mission turned tragic as the bandits reportedly laid a sophisticated ambush along the route leading to the affected communities.

“In an attempt to confront the bandits, the soldiers ran into an ambush. There was a heavy exchange of gunfire,” another source revealed.

During the intense firefight, three soldiers were confirmed killed in action, while others were said to have sustained injuries.

The attackers also reportedly set a military patrol vehicle ablaze during the confrontation, reducing it to ashes.

“The vehicle was completely destroyed. The attackers were heavily armed and appeared to have planned the ambush carefully,” the source added.

Eyewitnesses described the attack as highly coordinated, suggesting that the assailants had prior knowledge of the terrain and movements of security operatives.

Residents of the affected communities have expressed fear over the increasing frequency of bandit attacks in the area, calling on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.

“This is becoming too much for us. People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed. We are appealing to the government to deploy more security personnel to this area before more lives are lost,” a community member lamented.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach military authorities for official confirmation of the casualties were unsuccessful.