One kidnapped in fresh bandits attack on Kwara community

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly invaded Gbugbu community in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, whisking away the owner of Yashashi Pure Water factory, throwing the community into panic on Thursday afternoon.

According to reports, the attackers, who stormed the area in large numbers, reportedly taken the victim to an unknown destination, heightening fears of insecurity in the local government, where cases of kidnapping have become increasingly frequent.

It would be recalled that bandits, had previously launched a deadly overnight attack on a settlement in Bokungi, Tsaragi community, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing one person and rustling several cows.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around midnight and into Wednesday morning, leaving residents in shock and fear.

Eyewitnesses, recounting the incident, disclosed that the assailants stormed the community at about 12am, shooting sporadically to scare residents before carting away dozens of cattle.

One of the sources said, the attackers targeted the Fulani settlement belonging to Alhaji Garuba and Alhaji Mumini, where Mumini’s first son was reportedly killed during the raid.

The source said Alhaji Mumini’s son, Muhammadu, who had just married a month ago, was killed.

Meanwhile, when the bandits were unable to force open Alhaji Garuba’s door, they went straight to rustle all his cows, adding that the bandits came through Bokungi and moved straight to the settlement.

The source also noted that the bandits started firing into the air and everyone began running for safety. They took away many cows and left destruction behind.

According to the source, “They came around 12 a.m. when the kidnappers entered through Bokungi and moved nearly 700 Fulani cows, shooting as they went. They passed through Fengewa before vigilantes and Nigerian soldiers attempted to intercept them, but as of now I don’t know if the soldiers and vigilantes succeeded.

“Alhaji Garuba and Alhaji Mumini were affected, with Alhaji Mumini’s first son killed by them. The stolen cows are estimated to be nearly 1000. People are asking why the Nigerian Army made no real effort.”

Residents further explained that as the attackers advanced through Fengewa, the gunshots alerted local vigilante groups and security operatives, who mobilized quickly to confront them.

A combined team of vigilantes and Nigerian Army troops engaged the bandits in a brief exchange of fire, but it remained unclear by Wednesday morning whether any arrests were made or if the stolen cattle were recovered.

“We got a call this morning from Shegbe that they saw some cows and had stopped them,”another source said.

Source: SaharaReporters