Bandits kill 2 vigilantes, injure several others in Kwara attack — Lafiagi market shut
Atleast two persons were reportedly killed in a clash between bandits and vigilantes/security operatives at Gada village, along the Lafiagi-Patigi Road in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday evening.
According to a local source who spoke with The Informant247, the clash began around 4 p.m. on Monday when suspected bandits reportedly arrived in Gada village to carry out another dastardly attack — the fourth in less than 48 hours.
The vigilantes, alongside security operatives, were said to have engaged the bandits in a face-off.
“Local vigilantes, upon receiving intelligence, mobilized to the location alongside personnel from the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS), leading to a fierce gun duel with the heavily armed assailants,” the source said.
He added that during the clash, two vigilantes — identified as Mohammed Nma Dsuru from Kokodo and Ndagi Saraka from Edogi — were killed. While Dsuru died during the attack on Monday, Ndagi succumbed to injuries sustained during the clash on Tuesday morning.
Additionally, another vigilante, identified only as Yatsu from Edogi village, was still missing at the time of this report.
“We have searched everywhere this morning, but we couldn’t find him. We are not losing hope, but we fear he might have been killed or kidnapped,” a vigilante source told The Informant247.
Security operatives were also reported to have sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
“The bandits were heavily armed. After a while, the vigilantes and security forces had to retreat due to the superior firepower of the attackers. But of course, they foiled the attack. The bandits couldn’t strike at midnight, but we remain vigilant. We don’t know what they have up their sleeves,” a source told The Informant247.
Emir orders market closure
Meanwhile, the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammed Kawu, has ordered the closure of the popular Gbugbu International Market, which was expected to open on Wednesday, until further notice.
According to residents, the directive was issued through the Market Chief, Etsu Zduko Gbugbu, in response to growing concerns over public safety in the area.
Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas in Kwara North have witnessed a series of banditry attacks over the past 48 hours, resulting in several killings and kidnappings. Almost simultaneously, several villages in Ifelodun, Kwara South, have also reported the abduction of residents, including two teenage girls on Monday evening.
There has been no comment from either the state government or security agencies.
