The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that 10 residents were abducted during a fresh attack on Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area, marking yet another violent raid in the state and heightening concerns over worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s north-central region.
The Incident
Police spokesperson Ejire Adeyemi said the attack occurred late Monday evening when armed men stormed the community, firing sporadically to scare residents before whisking away their victims.
The abducted include women and children, according to local sources.
Witnesses reported that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and moved with a herd of cattle, a tactic increasingly used by bandits in the region.
Victims
Community leaders confirmed that the abductees were taken from their homes during the raid. Among them are:
Two nursing mothers
Several children
Other household members caught in the assault
This comes just days after another attack in Eruku, where worshippers were abducted during a church vigil before being rescued.
Police Response
Adeyemi assured residents that security operatives, including tactical teams and vigilantes, have been deployed to comb nearby forests in search of the victims. He urged communities to remain calm, stressing that efforts are ongoing to secure their release.
Broader Context
Kwara has witnessed a surge in violent attacks in recent weeks, with bandits targeting rural communities and places of worship. Analysts warn that the trend mirrors the wider insecurity across Nigeria’s north-central states, where mass abductions have become a recurring threat.
Civil society groups have called on the government to implement the Safe Schools and Communities Initiative, arguing that without stronger preventive measures, rural populations will remain vulnerable.
Community Reaction
Residents of Isapa described the attack as “terrifying and unprecedented,” noting that many families are now considering relocating for safety. Local leaders have appealed for urgent government intervention, warning that repeated attacks are crippling farming and education in the area.
