Barely a week after 38 worshippers were kidnapped during a church service in Eruku, another disturbing attack has hit Kwara State. At least 11 residents of Isapa, a neighbouring community in the Ekiti Local Government Area, were reportedly abducted on Monday evening.
The incident happened around 6pm, when between 20 and 30 armed bandits invaded the peaceful agrarian community, arriving with a large herd of cattle. Witnesses said the attackers opened fire indiscriminately as panic-stricken residents fled into the bush.
The gunmen reportedly moved from street to street, firing into homes. By Tuesday morning, bullet holes marked walls, windows and wooden doors across the community, showing just how intense the attack was.
A community leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that 11 people were taken, with seven abducted from the same family. Among the victims are a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and several children.
He listed the abductees as Talatu Kabiru, Magaji (6 years old), Kande (5 years old), Hadiza (10 years old), Mariam (6 years old), Saima (5 years old), Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu, Sarah Sunday (a 22-year-old pregnant woman), Lami Fidelis and Haja Na Allah (a nursing mother)
“This is the worst attack we’ve witnessed in recent times,” the community leader said. “Seven members of a single family taken at once. People are terrified. We don’t even know what tomorrow holds.”
A senior security official confirmed the incident, adding that operatives were already searching the vast forest linking Isapa, Eruku and surrounding villages.
“From what we know so far, 11 people were abducted. Our men are on the ground, trying to verify the exact number and trace those responsible,” he said.
He explained that although federal security teams were deployed to the area after the Eruku church abduction, the large forest and multiple settlements make it difficult to secure every location at once.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command said it was still compiling details. No official statement has yet been released by the police or the state government.
Meanwhile, fear has gripped residents of Isapa, Eruku and neighbouring towns, with many worried that bandits are attempting to establish a foothold in the area. Local vigilantes have increased night patrols, and some religious centres have reduced evening programmes.
Monday’s incident marks the third major attack in Ekiti LGA in less than a month as Insightlinks reported three weeks ago that 18 residents were kidnapped in Eruku but later rescued, last week 38 worshippers were abducted during a thanksgiving service, also in Eruku and now, 11 residents of Isapa have been taken.
The community remains tense as rescue efforts continue.
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