Suspected bandits on Friday evening attacked Adanla community, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, with at least seven residents feared to have been kidnapped during the raid.
According to The PUNCH, attack reportedly occurred around 7:00pm on Friday, December 26, 2025, disrupting the calm of the largely agrarian settlement and forcing residents to flee their homes in fear.
Confirming the incident, a community leader in Igbaja and Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, said the assailants invaded the community in large numbers and operated for several minutes before security reinforcements arrived.
“At about 7:30pm, we received a distress call from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja, that bandits had entered the community,” Oyin-Zubair said.
He explained that local hunters and vigilantes were immediately mobilised to the area, while the military authorities were also alerted.
“We promptly contacted the Brigade Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, and he directed soldiers around the axis to respond without delay,” he added.
According to Oyin-Zubair, troops later arrived in two operational vehicles to support the local security operatives, but the attackers had already carried out their mission.
“Before the soldiers arrived, the bandits had abducted about seven persons and injured a woman. They were firing sporadically as they moved from house to house to intimidate residents,” he said.
Residents who spoke with journalists said several people sustained injuries while attempting to escape, as panic spread across the community. Many families reportedly fled into nearby bushes and neighbouring towns to seek safety.
As of Saturday morning, there was no official confirmation from the police. However, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was aware of the incident but was still awaiting full details.
“I am yet to receive a comprehensive briefing on the matter,” she said.
“I got preliminary information last night, and once I have the full report, I will provide an update.”
The incident has heightened concerns among residents of the area, who are calling on the government and security agencies to strengthen security in rural communities across the state.
