Terrorists Machete Forest Guard, Abduct Resident In Broad Daylight Attack In Kwara Community

Ilorin, Kwara State–  Armed terrorists on Tuesday afternoon launched a violent attack in Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving a forest guard officer knoen as Saheed severely injured and abducting a resident identified as Rashid Oke-Apata.

Sources who spoke to Afrika Eyes said the incident occurred in broad daylight, throwing the community into panic as gunshots rang out during the assault.

According to the source, the forest guard officer and the abducted victim were travelling on a motorcycle when they were ambushed by the assailants.

“The two of them were on a motorcycle when the terrorists suddenly appeared and opened fire on them,” the source said. “The forest guard refused to stop despite the gunshots. In the process, they attacked him with a machete and cut his hand deeply.”

The source added that amid the chaos, the second victim, identified as Rashid Oke-Apata, reportedly jumped off the motorcycle but was immediately captured by the attackers.

“While trying to escape, the other man jumped down from the bike, but the terrorists caught him and took him away,” the source explained.

A disturbing video obtained by Afrika Eyes shows the injured forest guard officer with a deep machete wound on his hand, bleeding profusely, as bystanders gathered around him in shock.

The latest attack shows the growing insecurity in Kwara south, where residents have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing activities of armed groups, including kidnappings and violent assaults.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while the whereabouts of the abduchave victim remain unknown.

Afrika Eyes had earlier reported that a coalition under the aegis of the Kwara South Development Forum has staged a protest over what it described as the worsening wave of insecurity in Kwara State, calling on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to take urgent and decisive action.

The group decried the alleged takeover of indigenous Yoruba communities in Kwara South by terrorists, accusing them of carrying out killings, abductions, and forcing residents to flee their ancestral homes.

Speaking during the protest, the Convener of the forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, lamented the systematic targeting and killing of local vigilante commanders, which he said had left communities exposed to attacks.

“Our local vigilantes commanders were identified by informants, and terrorists went after all of them and killed them. With all the commanders gone, the terrorists took over communities, killing and kidnapping people,” he said.

He further appealed to traditional rulers in Kwara South to unite and engage the President directly in order to find lasting solutions to the crisis.

“Our mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers have been killed and kidnapped, while our schools have been shut down in Kwara South. We are demonstrating today to express our concerns to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq to empower local vigilantes and other security agencies to end the kidnapping and killings in Kwara South,” Ridwan added.

A female protester, Adebisi Jimoh, narrated the plight of residents of Babanla community, describing it as a ghost town following repeated attacks.

“Our community has become deserted, while our family members have been kidnapped and ransom has been paid,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Another protester, Sodiq Amidu, broke down in tears as he recounted how two of his friends were abducted by the attackers. He identified them as Abdullah Issa and Yusuf Ibrahim.

“Abdullah Issa paid N10 million before he was released, while Yusuf Ibrahim paid N5 million before he regained his freedom,” he said.