Bandits kill, kidnap in Kwara community; curfew imposed

2026-02-23 - 18:27

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin Ilorin, Kwara State – Bandits on Sunday evening struck Gbugbu community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing one person, abducting a popular Hausa provision seller, and injuring two others, Vanguard reports. Gbugbu, a complex community with multiple bush routes, has been vulnerable to repeated attacks by armed groups. In response, the Edu Local Government Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, on Monday imposed a curfew from 4:00 pm to 6:00 am daily until further notice. The directive followed an emergency security meeting at the council. “The Council has intensified enforcement of the curfew in Gbugbu Community and directed that all vehicular and pedestrian movements be completely restricted from 4:00 pm to 6:00 am daily. This decision will allow security operatives to carry out routine security assignments within the community,” the statement read. Residents have been urged to cooperate with security agencies while conducting daily activities within the permitted hours. Vanguard gathered that the two injured residents, identified as Hausa and Nupe citizens, were rushed to Ilorin for medical attention. Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the town around 8:00 pm, shortly after the Isha’i prayer, shooting indiscriminately and sending residents fleeing for safety. “At the time, there was chaos. The bandits shot non-stop, throwing everyone indoors. There is still no confirmation on the total number of casualties or other abductions,” a resident said on condition of anonymity. Reports indicate that the bandits initially targeted the Hausa provision seller near Echigbo, opening fire when two soldiers who happened to be buying food confronted them. The assailants killed one of the seller’s brothers, abducted the trader, and fled into the bush, escaping capture. In a related incident, a Muslim woman preparing Sahr in Bacitagi village, about three kilometers from Gbugbu, was reportedly kidnapped by armed bandits in the early hours of Sunday. This latest attack comes weeks after terrorists reportedly struck Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, killing over 100 residents, burning houses, and abducting more than 170 others who remain in captivity. The state government, in collaboration with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, recently launched Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield at the 22 Armoured Brigade in Ilorin to clear armed bandits from the state.