Fear has gripped communities across Kwara State following a fresh wave of attacks by suspected bandits, with a traditional ruler, the first wife of a Baale and several other residents reportedly abducted in separate incidents.
The attacks, which occurred between Friday night and Saturday, affected communities in Kwara South and the northern part of the state, with women and a child among those reportedly missing.
In Dabu, Ifelodun Local Government Area, gunmen reportedly invaded the community on Friday night and abducted the first wife of the Baale, popularly known as Iya Ayoka.
The development has heightened anxiety in Kwara South, where residents have continued to raise concerns over recurring kidnappings and attacks by armed groups.
The Kwara South Development Forum, in a statement issued on Sunday, called for the immediate rescue of Iya Ayoka, insisting that residents could no longer afford to raise money for ransom payments.
The statement, signed by the forum’s Secretary, Olasehinde Oluwatoba, on behalf of its Convener, Obashola Ridwan, said residents had been financially drained by repeated ransom demands.
The group described Iya Ayoka as a woman who had supported members of her community during the difficult period, particularly as insecurity had forced the closure of markets and the abandonment of some neighbouring settlements.
The forum said residents who had previously fled their communities because of insecurity had started returning before the latest attacks renewed fears of another wave of displacement.
It also expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the Ifelodun Local Government authorities, alleging that repeated appeals for intervention had not produced meaningful results.
According to the group, residents had also accused the state government of failing to adequately acknowledge the severity of the security situation in Kwara South.
The latest incident occurred as the forum continued to demand the release of 23-year-old Babatunde Fasilat, who was reportedly abducted during an earlier attack on Wande community.
Fasilat was allegedly taken away after armed men invaded the community and shot her father, who attempted to resist them.
A source familiar with the incident said four armed men were involved in the attack, adding that Fasilat’s father sustained a serious gunshot injury while trying to protect his daughter.
The source said the attackers subsequently entered Fasilat’s room and took her away.
The exact date of the Wande attack could not be independently established, as sources gave different dates, including July 15 and July 26.
The Kwara South Development Forum alleged that the kidnappers had demanded N20m for Fasilat’s release.
It further claimed that the abductors had gained access to her TikTok account and were allegedly using it to make posts while contacting people over the ransom.
The forum said repeated appeals to the government for assistance had not yielded a response.
It added that Fasilat’s father, who was hospitalised after the attack, had continued to struggle with his health while the family searched for ways to secure his daughter’s release.
Meanwhile, another incident was reported in Kwara South, where suspected gunmen reportedly abducted the traditional ruler of Igbesi land after invading the community on Saturday.
There were conflicting accounts about another person allegedly taken during the attack, with some sources identifying the individual as a female worker at a filling station, while others claimed that both victims were employees of the facility.
The identities of the alleged victims had not been independently confirmed as of press time.
In another incident, gunmen reportedly attacked Wodata Rumallan, also known as Gidan Panu, in the Lafiagi area of Edu Local Government Area, later on Saturday.
A resident identified as Musa said the attackers stormed the community at about 9:17pm and opened fire, sending residents into panic.
Two persons, identified as a child, Rukayat, and her stepmother, Hazare, were reportedly missing following the attack.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said soldiers arrived about an hour after the attackers had left.
The source said the exact number of casualties had yet to be established, as residents and security personnel were still trying to assess the situation.
The incident was said to be the second reported attack in Edu Local Government Area within 24 hours.
The series of attacks has renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Kwara, with community groups urging the state and Federal Governments to take decisive action against criminal gangs operating in the affected areas.
The Kwara South Development Forum called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Federal Government and security agencies to prioritise the rescue of Iya Ayoka, Fasilat and other victims reportedly being held by their abductors.
The organisation also urged security agencies to intensify surveillance and operations in forests and other locations suspected to be hideouts for the armed groups.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and a text message sent to the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, seeking clarification on the reported attacks and the command’s response had not been answered as of press time.