Kwara On Edge as Bandits Abduct 11 in Fresh Isapa Raid

Kwara on Edge as Bandits Abduct 11 in Fresh Isapa Raid

Bandits struck again in Kwara State on Monday evening, abducting 11 residents during a coordinated attack on Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area — barely two days after 38 worshippers regained freedom in neighbouring Eruku.

The attackers, said to be between 20 and 30, reportedly invaded the community around 6pm, shooting indiscriminately to force residents indoors before whisking away their victims.

A community leader, who spoke with Patriotic Insights News confirmed the incident, noting that seven members of the same household were among the abducted.

He said the victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and several children.

Those taken were identified as: Talatu Kabiru (20); Magaji (6); Kande (5); Hadiza (10); Mariam (6); Saima (5); a housewife, Habibat; another housewife, Fatima Yusufu; a pregnant woman, Sarah Sunday (22); a nursing mother, Lami Fidelis (23); and another nursing mother, Haja Na Allah.

Security volunteers combed the community after the gunmen retreated and recovered several expended AK-47 shells scattered around the area.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the attack, saying he was on his way to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

“Yes, there was an incident, but I cannot say much now. I am about to enter Isapa from Ilorin. I will provide further updates when I get there,” he said.

The latest abduction adds to a worrying pattern of mass kidnappings across northern Nigeria.

On November 17, gunmen invaded a secondary school in Kebbi State, abducting 25 female students and killing the school’s vice principal.

Three days later, on November 20, another group stormed St Mary’s Private Catholic Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, kidnapping 303 students.

The Niger chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 50 of the abducted children had escaped, though many are still in captivity.

The rising wave of attacks has heightened tension across affected communities, with calls intensifying for more decisive security action.