Armed bandits attacked Kokodo village in Kwara, killing four people and abducting two others, as insecurity worsens and journalists face intimidation over reporting incidents.
A late-night raid by armed bandits on Kokodo village in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State has left four people dead and two others kidnapped.
The attack, which happened around 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, targeted a group of local hunters who attempted to resist the assailants. According to residents, three hunters were shot dead instantly, while another, who suffered severe gunshot wounds, died the following morning while receiving treatment.
The gunmen also abducted two villagers before escaping. Identities of both the deceased and the kidnapped victims have not yet been released.
This latest assault deepens fears across Kwara North, where communities in Edu, Lafiagi, and Patigi have suffered repeated cases of killings, kidnappings, and ransom demands. Locals have continued to plead for stronger and more permanent security measures to curb the worsening insecurity.
Meanwhile, tension has grown between the media and traditional authorities in the region. On Sunday, September 2, 2025, SaharaReporters revealed that the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Kawu, allegedly summoned journalists to his palace, warning them against publishing further reports on insecurity in the area.
A source within the emirate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the monarch claimed he was acting on the directive of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The source added that the government previously cautioned media outlets, including SaharaReporters, Nupeko TV, and The Informant247, over their reports on bandit attacks, describing them as damaging to the state’s image.
The development has raised fears of media intimidation, with reporters in the region said to be working under threats of harassment and possible arrest.
