Bandits on Tuesday launched a deadly attack on villages in Patigi local government area of Kwara state, killing a pregnant woman, a cleric, and others.
Residents said the attackers abducted at least eight people, injured several others, and carted away 15 motorcycles during the raid.
The bandits, who arrived on motorcycles in large numbers, stormed Motokun and Egboro communities, shooting sporadically and forcing villagers to flee.
A vigilante commander, Gina Gana, said the attack followed a confrontation between troops and the assailants a day earlier, during which dozens of cattle were rustled. He added that at least four of the attackers sustained gunshot wounds.
Sources said Fanagun village in Tsaragi emirate was also attacked, where three Fulani men and their cattle were abducted.
Residents lamented that the gunmen operated for hours without immediate intervention from security operatives.
“One woman who was shot later died at Patigi General Hospital. About eight people were taken away, and several others were injured,” said Hon James Ibrahim, a resident.
Another community leader, Mallam Mohammed, said the cleric from Patigi, who often visited to preach, was killed and mutilated.
“The kidnappers first struck in Motokun, then moved to Egboro. Most of the villagers have fled towards Patigi,” he said.
He added that bandit attacks have become an almost weekly occurrence in Patigi, affecting villages such as Lata, Ndanaku, Takarfu, Motokun, Egboro, and Lele.
Confirming the incident, the chairman of Patigi local government area, Ahmed Rufai Adam, said he was in a critical security meeting over the matter.