Gunmen Abduct 25 People in Two Attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara State

Gunmen Abduct 25 People in Two Attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara State
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Suspected armed bandits abducted 25 people and killed three others in two separate attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara State, police said.

According to Reuters, the first attack took place early Sunday in Yashikira, a community in Baruten local government area near Nigeria’s northwestern border. Gunmen attacked a police divisional headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira, setting parts of the palace on fire before abducting 10 residents.

Police said officers repelled the assault on the police station, while security forces later launched a joint operation involving the military, forest guards, and local vigilantes to search nearby forests and suspected hideouts.

In a separate incident late Friday in Ekiti local government area, gunmen attacked a night prayer gathering at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, killing three people and abducting 15 others. Police said tactical teams, including a drone unit and mobile force personnel, were deployed for search-and-rescue operations.

Kwara, located in north-central Nigeria, has faced growing insecurity in recent years as armed groups known locally as bandits expand operations across forested border areas and carry out kidnappings for ransom.