The Police Command in Kwara State has confirmed the abduction of some residents of Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
The police command announced that 10 persons were abducted during the Monday evening invasion by suspected armed herders.
It was reported that at least 11 residents were kidnapped by bandits that stormed Isapa, Ekiti LGA of Kwara, around 6pm on Monday, shooting indiscriminately as villagers fled in panic.
A statement on Tuesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command received distress calls around 6:30pm on November 24 and immediately deployed patrol teams and tactical units to the area.
Ejire-Adeyemi stated, “Preliminary investigations showed that the attackers invaded the community around 6:05 p.m., firing repeatedly as they advanced through the settlement.
“A woman who sustained a gunshot wound to her leg had since been treated and discharged.
“Further details from police operatives discovered that 10 persons were later abducted.
“In response to the severity of the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, visited Isapa for an on-the-spot assessment.
“During the visit, he met with traditional rulers, the Onisapa of Isapa Land, Oba Gbenga Adeyeye, and the Olokesa of Okesa Land, Oba Olu Olusegun, as well as local and youth leaders.
“The CP assured residents that the command had intensified operations to rescue the victims and restore confidence in the area,” the statement added.
The command disclosed that joint teams of police tactical units and local vigilantes were currently combing the surrounding bushes in search of the abducted residents.
“A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing, and normalcy has been restored to the village. The situation is under strict monitoring,” the police spokesperson said.
Monday’s attack is the latest in a troubling surge of violent incidents across Ekiti Local Government Area.
