Suspected terrorists have abducted a housewife and her son in a fresh attack on Ndeji community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, triggering renewed tension among residents.
The incident, according to local sources, occurred on Saturday night when heavily armed attackers stormed the community and began shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Residents said the attackers took advantage of the panic created by the gunfire to abduct the woman and her son, whisking them away to an unknown destination.
A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons and overwhelmed the residents.
“Most of us started running from one end to another because there were no security operatives to protect us,” the source said.
“As soon as they started their attack, some of us ran into nearby bushes for cover, but the terrorists overpowered a housewife and her son and took them away.”
The resident urged both the federal and state governments to urgently intervene, noting that the growing insecurity in the area has made it increasingly difficult for people to sleep peacefully at night.
He added that the latest incident has heightened fear across communities in Edu Local Government Area, where cases of kidnapping and banditry have reportedly increased in recent months.
The attack came barely a week after suspected terrorists reportedly killed at least two residents, abducted a trader and shot a young girl during a violent invasion of Gbugbu community, also in Edu LGA.
During that earlier attack, a businessman identified as Rilwan Bello, whose shop was located beside Ezigbo Store, was abducted while his sales assistant was reportedly shot dead at the scene.
Contacted on the latest incident, a senior police officer at the Edu Divisional Police Station in Lafiagi, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the development.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that the victims are rescued,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, in a related development, local vigilante operatives in Chitta community in Patigi Local Government Area reportedly rescued three residents who were abducted during a midnight attack.
Sources said the attackers invaded the community at about 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, firing gunshots into the air to scare residents before abducting three victims.
Residents said the sudden attack caused widespread panic as the gunmen moved quickly through the community while carrying out the abduction.
However, members of the local vigilante group quickly mobilised after receiving distress calls from residents and pursued the attackers into the surrounding forest.
A community source said the vigilantes confronted the attackers during the pursuit, forcing them to abandon the victims.
“The vigilantes acted very fast. Immediately the bandits left with the victims, they mobilised and went after them. Their pressure forced the kidnappers to flee and abandon the three victims,” the source said.
The rescued victims were later returned safely to the community, while the attackers escaped into the forest.
Residents have since commended the bravery of the local vigilante group, noting that their swift response prevented what could have become a prolonged kidnapping ordeal.
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
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