Armed attackers, commonly referred to as bandits, reportedly launched a late-night assault on Igbonla community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting multiple residents.
The incident occurred around midnight on Sunday, with the assailants shooting repeatedly to create panic before taking away an unknown number of people.
A resident, who spoke to SaharaReporters anonymously, confirmed the attack, noting that the exact number of victims remains unclear.
“The attack happened on Sunday night. We still do not know the total number abducted, but several residents were taken,” the source said.
The invasion has triggered fear across the community, forcing many residents to flee to neighboring villages for safety.
Security personnel, including officers of the Nigerian Police Force and community vigilantes, have reportedly been deployed to the area in an effort to track down the attackers and rescue the victims.
As of the time of this report, neither the Kwara State Government nor the state police command has issued an official response to the incident.
This attack adds to rising concerns over increasing cases of kidnappings and violent raids in Kwara South, particularly in rural areas.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier highlighted complaints from motorists in Osi and nearby areas in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, accusing police officers assigned to fight bandits of extorting travelers instead.
A video reviewed by the platform showed officers stationed along the Osi–Eruku road stopping vehicles and demanding payments, despite being equipped with an Armoured Personnel Carrier meant for anti-bandit operations.
A frustrated driver in the footage lamented that the officers were neglecting their duty to protect residents from kidnappers and instead targeting innocent road users.
“They are supposed to confront kidnappers, but they are here collecting money. Kidnappers kill people daily in Obo-Aiyegunle and Eruku, yet the police are here extorting motorists,” he said.
