At least 17 people were abducted on Monday evening when armed bandits attacked Isapa, a community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The latest assault occurred around 7 p.m., just a day after 38 kidnapped worshippers from a neighbouring church in Eruku were released. Isapa is located about 5km from Eruku, where gunmen had attacked a church service last week, killing three and abducting dozens.
Residents said the bandits, numbering about seven, stormed the community with a large herd of cattle and fired shots indiscriminately, causing panic as people fled. An elderly woman was reportedly killed by a stray bullet.
A community leader, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that 11 people were initially kidnapped, including a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several children. The victims were identified as Talatu Kabiru (20), Magaji (6), Kande (5), Hadiza (10), Mariam (6), Saima (5), Habibat, Fatima Yusufu, Sarah Sunday (22, pregnant), Lami Fidelis (23, nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah (nursing mother).
Sources said the attackers moved through the town, leaving bullet marks on buildings, while expended AK-47 shells were later recovered.
The bandits also targeted the home of a businessman previously kidnapped and released after paying a N2 million ransom. When they did not find him at home, they abducted six of his family members—his two wives and four children.
The Treasurer of the Isapa Peoples Union, Abayomi Daramola, confirmed the incident and noted conflicting figures on the total number abducted. Another community member, Prince Oguntola Aboyegi, also confirmed the attack.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said he had visited the community, adding that a comprehensive report was being prepared.
Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has set up a cabinet-level security committee to develop both immediate and long-term solutions to insecurity in the state. The committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, is tasked with engaging stakeholders, including traditional rulers, to draft a state-specific security strategy within four weeks.
