Gunmen have attacked Igbesi, a community in Oke Onigbin town, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Onigbesi of Igbesi Land and several other residents.
Also, a woman identified as Iya Ayoka, the first wife of the Baale of Dabu community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, has reportedly been kidnapped in the town by bandits.
The latest attack on Kwara South Senatorial communities happened despite the recent establishment of a Nigerian Army Battalion in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the incidents occurred on Saturday when armed terrorists stormed the two communities and launched a fierce assault on the residents.
According to sources, the monarch, identified as the Kabiyesi Onigbesi of Igbesi Land, was among those taken away by the armed attackers.
Multiple sources said that the terrorists whisked the monarch away to an unknown location after successfully gaining access to the community.
“Kabiyesi Onigbesi of Igbesi Land has been kidnapped by armed bandits and whisked away to an unknown bush,” one of the sources said.
Another source said the attackers stormed the community on Saturday and carried out the operation before fleeing with the monarch and other abducted victims.
“Bandits stormed the community yesterday (Saturday) in a fierce attack and successfully laid hands on the monarch,” the source said.
The latest incident has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Kwara State, particularly communities in Kwara South that have increasingly come under attacks by armed terrorists and kidnappers.
The circumstances surrounding the abduction, including the exact number of people taken away by the attackers and whether the terrorists have established contact with the families of the victims, remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Some senior police officers in the two local government areas of the state, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.
“We have sent signal to the state police command on the ugly development and the command has swung into action,” they said.
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