Gunmen kill man, take two women in Kwara community

Suspected bandits have killed a man and kidnapped two women in a Fulani settlement in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The attack happened on Monday night in the Sodo/Sawmill area on the outskirts of town.

Residents reported that the gunmen arrived at about 8 pm, shooting wildly and causing fear among the villagers.

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

The gunmen then took two women, said to be the wives of the Fulani leader, before they fled the scene.

A resident was also shot and killed during the attack.

Security operatives responded after distress calls were made. Troops engaged the attackers and forced them to run into a nearby forest.

On Tuesday, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident. He said one man was killed and two women were taken away.

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

The police commissioner explained that initial investigations showed the attackers aimed for the Fulani leader, known as an Ardo, but could not capture him.

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

This attack has raised worries about safety in Edu and nearby local government areas. Residents have often called for stronger security measures against criminal groups operating in the Kwara North area.