Insecurity
BREAKING: Bandits Attack Fulani Settlement In Kwara, Kill One, Rustle Cattle
The attackers, numbering several and heavily armed, began shooting sporadically to instill fear among the villagers.
Ilorin, Kwara State– Armed bandits on Wednesday night invaded a Fulani settlement in Bokungi, near Tsaragi community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing one person and rustling several cows.
According to a multiple sources who spoke to Afrika Eyes under condition of anonymity, the armed men stormed the area around 12 a.m., entering through Bokungi before moving towards the Fulani settlement.
The attackers, numbering several and heavily armed, began shooting sporadically to instill fear among the villagers.
One of the sources explained that the attackers targeted the Fulani settlement belonging to Alhaji Garuba and Alhaji Mumini, where Mumini’s first son was reportedly killed during the raid.
The source noted that Alhaji Mumini’s son, Muhammadu, who had just married a month ago, was killed.
Meanwhile, when the bandits could not force open Alhaji Garuba’s door, they went straight to rustle all his cows.
The source added that the bandits came through Bokungi and went directly to the settlement.
The source explained that the bandits started firing into the air, causing everyone to run for safety. They stole many cows and left destruction in their wake.
According to the source, “They came around 12 a.m. when the kidnappers entered through Bokungi and moved nearly 700 Fulani cows, shooting as they went. They passed through Fengewa before vigilantes and Nigerian soldiers attempted to intercept them, but as of now I don’t know if the soldiers and vigilantes succeeded.
“Alhaji Garuba and Alhaji Mumini were affected, with Alhaji Mumini’s first son killed by them. The stolen cows are estimated to be nearly 1,000. People are asking why the Nigerian Army made no real effort.”
Residents further explained that as the attackers advanced through Fengewa, the gunshots alerted local vigilante groups and security operatives, who mobilized quickly to confront them.
A combined team of vigilantes and Nigerian Army troops engaged the bandits in a brief exchange of fire, but it remained unclear by Wednesday morning whether any arrests were made or if the stolen cattle were recovered.
“We got a call this morning from Shegbe that they saw some cows and had stopped them,”another source said.
The killing has heightened fears in Edu Local Government and surrounding areas, with residents lamenting the rising wave of insecurity in parts of Kwara.
Afrika Eyes had reported that gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the wife and daughter of All Progressives Congress party chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Swasun, in Sakpefu community, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
According to sources, the armed men stormed the community late Sunday night, shooting sporadically to instill fear among residents before whisking away their victims.
The abducted victims were identified as Haja Fatima, the wife of the chairman, and his daughter, Amina.
A source to Afrika Eyes that the attackers targeted the family residence, forcing their way inside before dragging their victims into the bush.
A source who spoke to Afrika Eyes said, “It happened around 11 p.m. on Sunday night. The gunmen came in large numbers and started shooting. People ran for their lives. They went straight to the chairman’s house and took his wife and daughter away. Up till now, nobody knows where they have been taken.”
Local vigilantes were said to have mobilized in search of the victims, but as of press time, there was no report of their rescue.
Police authorities in Kwara State have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but community leaders are calling on the state government and security agencies to take urgent action to secure the release of the victims and prevent further attacks.
Kidnappings and banditry have become a recurring menace in parts of Kwara,especially in South and North of the state.
Afirka Eyes had reported that gunmen on Saturday evening launched another deadly attack on Shagbe community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing some residents and abducting others.
A source told Afrika Eyes that that the heavily armed assailants invaded the palace of the Onishagbe of Shagbe with the apparent intention of kidnapping the monarch.
According to the source , the gunmen shot sporadically to scare residents, leaving the community in chaos as people fled for safety.
A community source told Afrika Eyes that the attackers operated freely for hours without security intervention, despite repeated calls for help.
“Bandits in large numbers stormed the community and forced their way into the palace of the Onishagbe of Shagbe, targeting the monarch or members of his household. However, their plans did not succeed.
“They killed some residents, abducted others, and operated for hours without any response from security forces despite repeated distress calls. The Kwara State government has since said it is on top of the situation.”