Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads

Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads

Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State was thrown into panic on Sunday night after suspected gunmen launched a violent attack on Gbugbu community, firing indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into bushes and nearby safe zones. The assault is the latest in a string of violent incidents deepening insecurity in Kwara and neighbouring areas.

According to witnesses, the gunmen stormed the town shortly after 8:00 p.m., opening fire and creating chaos. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The bandits stormed the community immediately after Isa’i, shooting non-stop and throwing residents into panic. Everyone ran indoors or fled into the bush.” As of the time of reporting, there were no official confirmations of casualties or the number of abducted residents.

The attack has heightened fears in Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun, and Oyun local government areas, where residents have reported rising attacks by armed groups in recent weeks. Days earlier, similar raids were reported in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA, resulting in the killing and abduction of several villagers.

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While the Kwara State Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, was unavailable for comments, local sources said security forces were mobilized to pursue the attackers and secure the community. Reports also indicate that some families spent the night outdoors, fearing a repeat of the violence.

The spate of attacks comes as the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, recently launched Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield to combat insecurity in Kwara and parts of Niger State. The operation aims to target terrorists, bandits, and criminal gangs responsible for kidnappings, armed raids, and killings in rural communities.

Community leaders and residents have called for urgent intervention by security agencies to rescue any abducted villagers, restore peace, and prevent further escalation of violence. Analysts warn that without sustained military and police engagement, armed attacks could spread further across the state, destabilizing vulnerable communities and hindering local development.

The incident in Gbugbu underscores the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s middle belt, where banditry and terrorism continue to disrupt livelihoods, schools, and local economies. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security forces, and report suspicious movements in their communities.

Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads