6 Killed, Many Injured as Bandits, Vigilantes Clash in Kwara State
Tension and sorrow have gripped parts of Kwara State following a bloody clash between bandits and security operatives that claimed the lives of six people and left many others injured. The incident happened in Gada Woro, along Patigi Road near Gbugbu in Edu Local Government Area, a region that has witnessed increasing insecurity in recent months.
According to reports, the confrontation erupted on Monday when a joint team of local vigilantes, police officers, and soldiers engaged a group of heavily armed bandits deep inside the forest. The gun battle, which residents described as fierce and terrifying, lasted for several hours and resulted in tragic casualties.
Among those killed were five vigilante members and a police officer. Several others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries, including two soldiers, two police officers, and at least six vigilantes. Some of the critically injured victims were later rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Residents of the affected communities are still struggling to come to terms with the scale of violence and loss. One resident, who requested anonymity, shared that fear has spread through the area as bandits have increasingly targeted local communities. “We can’t sleep at night anymore,” he said. “We hear gunshots almost every week. People are afraid to travel, even to nearby villages.”
The bandits, believed to number in the hundreds, reportedly stormed the region on motorcycles, wielding sophisticated weapons. Witnesses said they appeared well-coordinated and determined to challenge security forces. Viral videos circulating on social media captured sounds of gunfire echoing through the forest as the security operatives and bandits exchanged shots.
The violence began on Saturday, following the abduction of a well-known agrochemical dealer who had just returned from the Hajj pilgrimage. According to locals, the bandits entered his home in the Taiwo area around 1:00 a.m., overpowering the local vigilantes and whisking him away into the forest.
Just a day later, on Sunday, the bandits struck again. This time, they kidnapped a point-of-sale operator, Alhaji Yaman, and another resident named Usman. While vigilante members managed to rescue one of the victims, the second person remains missing as families continue to pray for his safe return.
The repeated attacks have fueled suspicions that local informants may be aiding the criminals. Many residents believe that the bandits have access to inside information, which helps them target successful young businessmen and influential community members. “These people know exactly who to go after,” another resident said. “It’s like they have a list.”
Efforts to reach the police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, were unsuccessful at the time of writing. Calls and messages sent to her mobile phone went unanswered, leaving residents desperate for official assurances of security.
However, Commander Gana Gbugbu, a leader of the local vigilante group in one of the affected towns, confirmed the incident during a phone call on Wednesday night. His voice was heavy with frustration and sorrow.
“This issue is becoming unbearable. I am currently at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, trying to check on six of my boys who were shot during the attack.
They have been left unattended since they arrived three days ago. One has a broken leg from gunshots, and another is in serious pain, but no help is coming because we do not have money.”
Commander Gbugbu provided a grim summary of the losses his team suffered.
“We lost five brave vigilantes and one police officer. Two police officers and two soldiers were also injured. The bandits are many and heavily armed. Over four hundred of them came on the first day and openly challenged us.
This is beyond what one hundred soldiers can handle. We need a massive deployment of the army, working hand in hand with our boys, to dislodge these criminals from the forest. If we don’t act now, more innocent lives will be lost.”
The people of Edu Local Government Area and surrounding communities are calling on both state and federal authorities to take swift action to curb the menace of banditry in the region. Many fear that without immediate intervention, more bloodshed could occur.
As the news of the clash spreads, it has left a deep sense of grief and uncertainty among the residents of Kwara State. Many families are mourning loved ones, while others are living in fear, unsure of when or where the next attack might happen.
The ongoing violence has also raised serious concerns about the safety of local businesses and the economic stability of the region. Business owners worry that persistent insecurity will cripple trade and drive people away from the area.
As security challenges continue to rise across parts of Nigeria, the tragedy in Gada Woro serves as another stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect lives and property.
Communities are pleading for help, hoping that their cries will not go unheard. For now, families pray, security teams regroup, and residents brace for what may come next.
