Fear gripped residents of a Fulani settlement in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, after suspected bandits invaded the community, killing one person and abducting two women.
The attack took place on Monday evening in the Sodo/Sawmill area located on the outskirts of Lafiagi. Witnesses said armed men arrived in the community at about 8 p.m., firing gunshots that sent residents scrambling for safety.
According to local sources, the attackers were reportedly searching for a prominent Fulani leader in the settlement. However, after failing to find him, they allegedly seized two women believed to be his wives before fleeing the scene.
One resident was also killed during the raid, further deepening fears among members of the community.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, said one person lost his life while two women were taken away by the assailants.
“Yes, one man was killed while two women, 25 and 35 years of age, who are wives of the Seriki Fulani, were abducted,” Ojo said.
The police commissioner explained that preliminary investigations suggest the gunmen had specifically gone after the Fulani leader, identified as the Ardo, but were unable to apprehend him.
“The attackers targeted the Fulani leader, Ardo. And for now, we are still on their trail because before we got there, the military had repelled them before they ran into the forest, but we are on their trail,” he stated.
Ojo added that soldiers had engaged the attackers before police operatives arrived, forcing the suspects to retreat into a nearby forest. He noted that security agencies have continued efforts to track down those responsible for the attack and rescue the abducted women.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the security situation in Edu and nearby local government areas, where residents have repeatedly urged authorities to intensify operations against criminal groups believed to be operating within the Kwara North region.