Bandits Abduct Mother, Son in Kwara Village

Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi

Bandits Abduct Mother, Son in Kwara Village

Suspected bandits have thrown Ndeji village in Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, into panic after storming the community late on Saturday night and abducting a housewife and her young son. The attack marks yet another violent incident in the state, where residents continue to face kidnappings, killings, and attacks by armed criminals.

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants arrived under the cover of darkness, firing sporadic shots that caused widespread fear. The gunmen allegedly moved directly to the home of Alhaji Abass, popularly known as Daniyan Saba, and forcibly took his wife and son to an unknown location. One resident described the raid as “a targeted attack” and recalled that the family had been previously victimized when Alhaji Abass’ manager was kidnapped last year.

“The bandits came at night, shot briefly, and went straight to Alhaji Abbas’ residence where they took his wife and son,” a villager said. Another resident expressed frustration over the lack of security, questioning how assailants could enter so freely in broad daylight-like conditions.

READ ALSO:

The Kwara State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the abduction. Attempts to reach the police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi, were unsuccessful as of Sunday.

This latest incident adds to a worrying pattern of insecurity in Kwara, especially in rural areas including Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun, and Kaiama. In February, militants stormed Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA, killing scores of residents and abducting dozens more. Many of the victims have yet to be rescued, leaving communities on edge.

In response to rising insecurity, the defence chief, Olufemi Oluyede, launched Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield last month. The operation aims to curb banditry and terrorist activity across Kwara and neighbouring parts of Niger State, though residents continue to report attacks. Other security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have also increased patrols and conducted arrests of suspected bandits in areas like Patigi LGA, seizing weapons and illegal substances.

Community leaders and residents have called on the government to intensify multi-agency deployments, improve intelligence sharing, and strengthen community policing to protect villagers and ensure the safe return of kidnapped victims.

As the situation unfolds, authorities face mounting pressure to respond decisively to restore security and public confidence in vulnerable rural communities.