Gunmen kill man, kidnap wives of Fulani leader in Kwara

A man has been killed and two women taken away by suspected bandits in a Fulani settlement at Lafiagi, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

This attack happened on Monday night in the Sodo/Sawmill area on the edge of Lafiagi, as reported by The PUNCH.

According to community sources, the gunmen struck the settlement around 8 p.m.

The attackers seemed to be looking for a well-known Fulani leader in the area but could not find him during the attack.

Instead, they took two women who are the wives of the Fulani leader, as stated in the report.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, confirmed the incident, mentioning that one man was killed and two women were abducted.

“Yes, one man was killed while two women, aged 25 and 35, who are wives of the Seriki Fulani, were abducted,” Mr Adekimi said.

The police commissioner noted that early investigations showed the attackers were searching for the Fulani leader known as Ardo.

“The attackers targeted the Fulani leader, Ardo. We are still on their trail because the military had pushed them back into the forest before we arrived, but we are on their trail,” he added.

This latest incident is part of a pattern of attacks in Kwara North in recent months.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on May 25 that suspected terrorists attacked Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area, burning part of the emir’s palace and kidnapping 10 people, including wives and children of the traditional ruler.

Days later, it was reported that the abductors demanded ransom for the victims, while security forces stepped up rescue efforts in the area.

The state has also seen attacks on farmers, rural communities, and travelers along forest paths that connect Kwara to nearby states.

In response, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq recently met with the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, and the police announced they would send more tactical teams to vulnerable areas.

Security agencies have not shared more details about Monday’s attack beyond what the police commissioner confirmed.