Suspected terrorists on Sunday morning stormed Kakafu, an ancient town in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting four residents in a fresh wave of violence that has heightened fears among rural communities.
Sources said about 10 armed men invaded the town, firing sporadically into the air to create panic. Amid the chaos, residents reportedly fled in different directions, while four individuals attempting to escape were seized and taken into a nearby forest.
The identities of the victims had not been officially confirmed as of press time, but sources indicated that most of them are women.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the incident and described it as deeply troubling. He added that a local vigilante operative sustained a serious forehead injury during the attack.
The latest assault has reportedly forced many residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring communities within the local government area.
Community sources described the attack as another indication of worsening insecurity in parts of the state, particularly in rural settlements where armed groups are said to operate with minimal resistance.
The Sunday attack occurred less than 24 hours after another violent incident in the same local government area.
On Saturday, suspected bandits reportedly attacked a vigilante and community guards’ checkpoint along Gamji Road in Gbugbu, also in Patigi LGA. During that incident, gunmen allegedly opened fire on security personnel, leaving at least one officer of the Nigerian Army injured with a gunshot wound to the leg.
A senior officer at the Patigi Divisional Police Headquarters, who requested anonymity, confirmed the latest attack.
“We are working with other security agencies to rescue the victims and to ensure the protection of the lives and property of residents,” the officer said.
Security agencies are said to be combing surrounding forests in efforts to locate the abducted residents, as concerns grow over the rising frequency of attacks in the area.
