BREAKING: Bandits Launch Coordinated Night Attacks On Three Communities In Kwara, Shoot Two, Kidnap Politician, 12 Others, Rustle Cattle

Ilorin, Kwara State – Suspected armed bandits on Wednesday night carried out coordinated attacks on three communities across two local government areas of Kwara State, abducting several residents, injuring others, and rustling livestock.

Afrika Eyes gathered that the affected communities include Iwo Odo-Ore in Isin Local Government Area, as well as Gaa-Idera and Gaa Dembo-Agunjin in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Sources familiar with the incidents told Afrika Eyes that the attacks occurred simultaneously on Wednesday night, suggesting a well-organised operation by the assailants.

A security source disclosed that in Odo-Ore, the attackers opened fire on residents, leaving two people injured before abducting two others.

“In Odo-Ore, they shot at two people and kidnapped two people,” the source said.

In Iwo Odo-Ore, the situation was more severe, with five persons reportedly kidnapped, including a prominent local figure, Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa, alongside four Hausa residents.

“Alhaji Yusuf is a politician well known in that axis and a proprietor of a nursery and primary school at Oke-Onigbin and Lagos State.

“Alhaji Yusuf had already planned an Islamic graduation ceremony for his child in Lagos on Saturday,” the source added.

In Ifelodun Local Government Area, the attackers also struck Gaa Dembo-Agunjin and Gaa-Idera communities, abducting multiple residents and carting away cattle.

Another source confirmed to Afrika Eyes that six persons were kidnapped in Gaa Dembo-Agunjin, while two persons were abducted in Gaa-Idera.

“Gaa Dembo-Agunjin, six people were kidnapped, and in Gaa-Idera, two persons were kidnapped while they were planning a wedding for today,” the source said.

The attack in Gaa-Idera reportedly targeted a family preparing for a wedding ceremony, with the assailants abducting the bride’s mother and another individual.

“They kidnapped the bride’s mother and one other person, and they also rustled their cows,” the source added.

During the attacks, gunmen reportedly fired indiscriminately, with at least one victim sustaining gunshot injuries.

“The bandits shot at two people; a bullet hit one person on his hand,” the source confirmed.

The incidents have heightened fear among residents of the affected communities, who say the frequency and coordination of such attacks point to growing insecurity in Kwara South.

As of the time of filing this report, the state government and security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the attacks.