Barely a week after 38 worshippers were abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, another disturbing attack has thrown Kwara State into fresh panic.
At least 11 residents of Isapa, a neighbouring community in the Ekiti Local Government Area, were reportedly kidnapped on Monday evening.
The attack, which occurred around 6pm, was carried out by an estimated 20 to 30 armed men who stormed the quiet farming settlement with a herd of cattle.
Residents said the gunmen fired sporadically, forcing people to flee as bullets tore through homes.
By Tuesday morning, bullet holes were visible in walls, windows and doors across several parts of the community.
A community leader, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, confirmed that 11 people were taken away, including seven members of one family. Among the abducted victims are a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several children.
“This is the worst attack we have witnessed in a long time,” he said. “Seven people from the same family were taken. People are terrified. We don’t know what next these attackers are planning.”
He listed the victims as Talatu Kabiru; six-year-old Magaji; Kande, aged 5; Hadiza (10 years old); Mariam (6 years old); Saima (5 years old); Habibat, a housewife; Fatima Yusufu; 22-year-old pregnant woman, Sarah Sunday; Lami Fidelis; and Haja Na Allah, a nursing mother.
“People are now living in fear,” he added. “Eleven people were taken into the bush just like that. Nobody knows what tomorrow holds.”
A senior security official confirmed the incident, saying operatives had begun search operations across the vast forest that links Isapa, Eruku and surrounding villages.
“Yes, we have received reports that 11 people were abducted,” the official told our correspondent. “Our men are in the area to verify the exact number and identify those behind the attack.”
He noted that even though federal security reinforcements were deployed after the recent church abduction in Eruku, the challenging terrain remains a major setback.
“That forest is very wide, with several small settlements around it. It’s difficult to be everywhere at the same time. But our teams are combing the area to rescue the victims,” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was still gathering information and would issue an official update soon.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the police nor the state government had released a formal statement.
The attack is the third major kidnapping incident in the Ekiti LGA axis within a month. Three weeks ago, 18 residents of Eruku were abducted and later rescued. Last week, 38 worshippers were seized during a church service but were subsequently freed.
