Tension has gripped Rani village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected bandits reportedly killed two residents and abducted two others, including the village head, during a violent night attack on Sunday.
According to findings by THISDAY, the assailants invaded the quiet community around 7:00 PM, just as villagers were preparing for Maghrib prayers. Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived heavily armed, firing sporadically to instill fear among residents before carrying out their deadly operation.
A local source, speaking in Nupe language, described the horrifying scene:
“They came in the evening at about 7:00 PM. We were getting ready for prayers when we heard gunshots everywhere. They killed two people and took away our village head and another man.”
The source added that the situation has left the entire community living in fear, as the kidnappers have yet to make contact or demand ransom.
“We cannot sleep with our two eyes closed. Even going to the farm is now a big risk. If you go today, you may not return,” the resident lamented.
“We are appealing to both the federal and state governments to deploy more troops to Patigi district to restore peace and allow us to live and farm safely.”
A senior police officer from the Patigi Divisional Police Office confirmed the attack, stating that the case has been reported to the Kwara State Police Command for urgent action and to ensure the rescue of the abducted victims.
The recent attack comes just weeks after suspected bandits murdered Reverend James Audu Issa of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Ekati village, also in Patigi LGA. The cleric was killed even after his family paid a ₦5 million ransom out of the ₦100 million initially demanded by his captors.
The back-to-back incidents have fueled fears of growing insecurity in Kwara’s riverine communities, with residents pleading for immediate government intervention to prevent further loss of lives.
when will all this abduction stop