Bandits have attacked the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting 11 residents in a violent overnight raid. The armed men, reported to be more than 20 in number, stormed the community on Monday while herding a large number of cattle, firing sporadically as residents fled for safety.
During the chaos, an elderly woman was hit by a stray bullet. A community leader, who confirmed the incident on condition of anonymity, revealed that seven of the abducted victims are members of the same family. The kidnapped individuals include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.
The identities of the victims were listed as: Talatu Kabiru (20, female), Magaji (6, male), Kande (5, female), Hadiza (10, female), Mariam (6, female), Saima (5, female), Habibat (housewife), Fatima Yusufu (pregnant woman), Sarah Sunday (22, female), Lami Fidelis (23, nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah (nursing mother).
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers moved through different parts of the town, leaving bullet holes in walls and doors. Spent AK-47 shells were found scattered across the community after the gunmen fled. Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The attack comes just two weeks after gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, also in the same local government area, where 38 worshippers were abducted. Some victims reportedly lost their lives during the assault, though the abductees were later released.
Reports from the previous Eruku incident indicated that the attackers invaded the church during a meeting and immediately opened fire, killing three worshippers before abducting several others, including the pastor. The assailants escaped through bush paths linking Eruku to neighbouring communities, leaving widespread panic and grief in their wake.
