Bandits have invaded the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting 11 residents, including a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.
The attackers, said to be more than 20, reportedly stormed the quiet community on Monday with a large herd of cattle, shooting indiscriminately as villagers fled in panic. An elderly woman was hit by a stray bullet during the assault.
According to Channels TV reports, a community leader, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, confirmed that 11 persons were taken away by the assailants. He noted that seven of the victims were members of the same family.
The abducted residents were identified as: Talatu Kabiru (20), Magaji (6), Kande (5), Hadiza (10), Mariam (6), Saima (5), a housewife identified as Habibat, another housewife named Fatima Yusufu who is pregnant, Sarah Sunday (22), Lami Fidelis (23, a nursing mother), and a nursing mother identified as Haja Na Allah.
Eyewitnesses said the bandits moved from one section of the town to another, leaving bullet holes in walls, windows, and doors. Spent AK-47 shells were also found scattered across the community after the gang retreated with their captives.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to release an official statement regarding the attack.
Monday’s incident comes barely two weeks after gunmen struck the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, also in Ekiti LGA, kidnapping 38 worshippers. Some victims reportedly died during the assault, although those abducted were later released.
