Kwara State has been gripped by a fresh wave of bandit attacks, resulting in fatalities, numerous kidnappings, and widespread displacement across several communities. Coordinated assaults on Tuesday targeted Agbonran village in Ifelodun Local Government Area, and Motokun (also referred to as Matokun) and Agboro (also referred to as Egboro) communities in Patigi Local Government Area. These incidents have fueled fear, prompting hundreds of residents to flee their homes amidst escalating insecurity.

The attacks led to the tragic death of a police officer, Corporal Salisu Shamaki, and a female resident, who was initially reported as pregnant. Corporal Shamaki, a 30-year-old officer enlisted in 2017/2018 and hailing from Mariga, Niger State, was attached to a Chinese mining company. While initial reports placed his death in Agbonran, Ifelodun LGA, Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, later clarified that the incident occurred at Egboro in Patigi Local Government Area. He confirmed that the officer gallantly lost his life during an attack on the Chinese company's facility, where property was also vandalized. The Chinese expatriate, his principal, was reportedly not at the facility for the past three months and escaped unhurt.

Further details from the Kwara State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the coordinated attacks. In Motokun, six residents were abducted during the raid, and six others sustained gunshot injuries. Tragically, one female victim, earlier reported as a pregnant woman, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, while the remaining injured are currently receiving medical attention. Community sources indicated that five people sustained various degrees of injury during the attack on Matokun village, with one victim referred to Teaching Hospital Ilorin for specialized treatment. Initially, twelve people were reportedly kidnapped from Matokun, with four escaping along the way, leaving eight still in captivity before the police confirmed six. In the Agboro attack where Corporal Shamaki was killed, two security guards manning the facility were also abducted.

The escalating violence has forced no fewer than 500 people to flee the affected communities, with Matokun village reportedly almost deserted prior to the Tuesday attack due to fear. Disturbingly, community sources revealed that warnings about potential attacks had been relayed to the Army unit in the area, but these were reportedly not heeded. Villagers claimed that no military officer confronted the bandits during an almost four-hour raid, despite prior briefings, with soldiers allegedly waiting for reinforcement from Lafiagi.

In response to the dire security situation, CP Adekimi Ojo has deployed tactical teams in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders to restore order and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted individuals. Patrols and surveillance operations have been intensified across the affected axis. State Governor, Mallan Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, had previously mobilized state security apparatus to the area. Additionally, the Nigeria Army Sobi barracks, Ilorin, had approved a forward operational base to stem bandit activities and restore normalcy. Other stakeholders, including political office holders and community and cultural organizations, have also intensified security measures in conjunction with local vigilantes and security agencies to bring peace back to the area. Despite these efforts, the communities in Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas continue to call for urgent and decisive government action to prevent further attacks.