Gunmen kill man, kidnap wives of Fulani leader in Kwara

A man has been killed and two women taken by suspected bandits in a Fulani settlement in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

This attack happened on Monday night in the Sodo/Sawmill area, just outside Lafiagi, as reported by The PUNCH.

Community sources told The PUNCH that the attackers struck at around 8 p.m.

Reports say the gunmen were after a well-known Fulani leader in the area but could not find him during the attack.

Instead, they took two women who are the wives of the Fulani leader, according to the report.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, confirmed what happened. He said one man was killed and two women were abducted.

“Yes, one man was killed while two women, aged 25 and 35, who are the wives of the Seriki Fulani, were taken,” Mr Adekimi stated.

The police commissioner said early investigations showed the attackers were looking for the Fulani leader, known as an Ardo.

“The attackers targeted the Fulani leader, Ardo. Right now, we are still following their trail because before we arrived, the military had pushed them back into the forest, but we are on their trail,” he added.

This latest incident is part of a series of attacks in Kwara North in recent months.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on 25 May that suspected terrorists attacked Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area. They set part of the emir’s palace on fire and took 10 people, including the wives and children of the traditional ruler.

Shortly after, reports came out that the kidnappers asked for ransom for the victims, while security agencies stepped up rescue efforts in the area.

The state has also seen attacks on farmers, rural communities, and travelers along forest paths connecting Kwara to neighboring states.

In response, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq recently met with the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu. The police also announced they are sending more tactical teams to vulnerable communities.

Security agencies have not shared more details about Monday’s attack beyond the police commissioner’s statement.