Terrorists invaded Kakafu community in Kwara State early Sunday, abducting four residents and injuring army officers and vigilantes.
The attackers struck the remote village in Patigi Local Government Area before dawn, firing shots indiscriminately as they seized the villagers and fled to an undisclosed location.
This raid followed a similar ambush just 24 hours earlier on Saturday along the Gamji Road checkpoint in nearby Gbugbu, where terrorists targeted vigilantes and community guards.
In that clash, a soldier suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, while a vigilante endured a severe forehead injury; both received immediate medical attention at a local facility.
A local source described the Saturday incident vividly: “The bandits attacked the vigilantes and community guards at the checkpoint along Gamji Road, leaving at least one army officer injured after sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg.
A vigilante officer was also reportedly hit, suffering a serious injury to the forehead.”
However, these attacks represent only the latest escalation in Kwara State’s mounting security crisis.
Earlier in February, on the 3rd and 4th, terrorists unleashed a devastating massacre on the villages of Woro and Nuku, claiming between 162 and 200 lives while kidnapping dozens more.
Residents attributed the violence to groups like Lakurawa, an extremist militant faction enforcing their version of sharia law, after the communities rejected their demands.
The death toll in Woro alone may have reached 170, with over 50 injured, marking one of Nigeria’s deadliest incidents in recent months.
In addition, the perpetrators released a chilling video on February 14 showing approximately 176 abductees from the Woro assault, including women, children, and nursing mothers, contradicting official estimates and heightening family anguish.
Families pleaded for urgent government intervention, while the Kwara State Government responded by collaborating with security agencies and community leaders to verify identities and coordinate rescues.
“We are deeply concerned over the disturbing video released by terrorists,” stated Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju, emphasizing efforts to secure safe returns and urging calm amid unverified reports.
Furthermore, terrorists have issued fresh threat letters to other areas, such as Oyun LGA, warning of impending attacks and kidnappings.
This pattern underscores the spread of groups like Boko Haram beyond traditional strongholds, deepening Nigeria’s insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu deployed an army battalion to the region, while international voices, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the United States, condemned the violence and pledged solidarity against terrorism.
Meanwhile, local reactions on social media reflect widespread frustration. One user lamented, “When will all these attacks stop for crying out loud,” while another declared Kwara a “captured state.”
Critics also pointed to federal priorities, noting President Tinubu’s attendance at a festival amid the crisis.
As Kwara grapples with these threats, residents in both northern and southern districts continue to face relentless violence, prompting calls for stronger governance and military action to restore peace.
