Bandits launch second attack on Kwara community in one day, forcing mass exodus

Suspected bandits have launched another violent assault on Lataworo community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, marking the second armed attack in the area within 24 hours.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and chaos as residents fled their homes in fear, with the number of abducted individuals still unconfirmed at the time of reporting.

This latest assault follows a disturbing pattern of violence in the region. On June 30, coordinated attacks by suspected gunmen targeted three villages—Gada, Lataworo, and Kokodoko—leaving several residents and local vigilantes injured.

The escalation in armed violence has intensified fears across both Kwara North and South, where terrorist activity has become increasingly frequent in recent months. The Kwara State Police Command, through spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, has yet to issue an official response to the latest incident.

Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters documented a separate attack in Lema community, also in Edu LGA. Gunmen reportedly killed one person and abducted two others during a dawn raid. Residents believe the assailants are still active in the vicinity, prompting urgent calls for security intervention.

The spate of kidnappings across the state has continued unabated. On August 13, gunmen invaded Gamalegi village in Lafiagi Emirate around 11 p.m., abducting four people in a late-night raid. A local resident described the attack as “hell on earth,” noting that the gunmen faced no resistance from security forces.

Just a day earlier, three people were kidnapped in Lade community, and a few days before that, Gbale community saw three residents—including a one-year-old child—abducted by armed men.

The security crisis has left communities across Kwara State living in fear, with repeated pleas to the state and federal governments for sustained security presence and protection.

Adding to the toll, last Friday, suspected bandits attacked Babanla community in Ifelodun LGA, killing two people, including a police officer. The attack occurred during a vigilante meeting. A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed the lifeless bodies of the officer and another victim lying in pools of blood.

As communities continue to reel from these frequent attacks, residents are calling for urgent and decisive action to halt the growing wave of violence threatening lives and livelihoods across Kwara State.