Panic gripped residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected bandits invaded a Fulani settlement, killing one person and abducting two women.
The attack occurred on Monday night at the Sodo/Sawmill area on the outskirts of the town when the gunmen stormed the community, shooting sporadically and sending villagers fleeing for safety.
Sources said the attackers were believed to be hunting for a prominent Fulani leader, identified as an Ardo, but failed to locate him during the raid.
Frustrated by their inability to find their target, the bandits reportedly abducted two women said to be wives of the Fulani leader before escaping into a nearby forest.
A resident was also shot dead during the attack.
Security operatives and military personnel were mobilised to the area after distress calls from residents. Troops reportedly engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat into the forest.
Confirming the incident, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said one person lost his life while two women, aged 25 and 35, were abducted.
“Yes, one man was killed while two women, who are wives of the Seriki Fulani, were abducted,” the police commissioner said.
Ojo disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the attackers specifically targeted the Fulani leader but could not capture him.
“The military repelled them before they escaped into the forest. We are currently on their trail,” he added.
The latest attack has renewed fears over rising insecurity in Edu and other communities in Kwara North, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security operations against armed criminal groups.
