Pregnant Woman, Children Kidnapped As Bandits Strike Kwara Again.

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Barely one week after 38 worshippers of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, were abducted and later freed, terror has returned to Kwara State, as at least 11 residents were reportedly kidnapped on Monday evening in Isapa, a neighbouring community in Ekiti Local Government Area.

The latest attack was said to have happened around 6pm when between 20 and 30 armed bandits stormed the quiet agrarian settlement with a large herd of cattle, shooting wildly as residents fled for safety.

Witnesses reported that the attackers moved through different parts of the town, firing into homes. Bullet marks were later found on walls, windows and wooden doors, showing how intense the gunfire was.

A community leader, who insisted on anonymity, confirmed that 11 people were abducted, seven of them from one family. According to him, those kidnapped include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and several children.

He listed the victims as Talatu Kabiru, six-year-old Magaji, five-year-old Kande, 10-year-old Hadiza, six-year-old Mariam, five-year-old Saima, Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu, a 22-year-old pregnant woman identified as Sarah Sunday, Lami Fidelis and Haja Na Allah, who is a nursing mother.

He said: “This is the worst attack we have seen in recent times. Seven members of the same family were taken. People are terrified. We don’t even know what to expect next.

“People are now living in fear. This is too much. Eleven people just disappeared into the bush. We don’t know what tomorrow holds.”

A senior security source confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying that operatives had already started combing the forest linking Isapa, Eruku and nearby villages.

“Yes, 11 people were abducted from what we have gathered. Our men are in that area now to ascertain the exact number and identify those responsible,” he said.

He explained that despite the presence of federal security reinforcements deployed after the Eruku church kidnapping, the vast forest and scattered settlements make surveillance extremely difficult.

“Security agencies from Abuja are still around that axis, but you know that forest is vast. There are many villages around there, and it’s hard to be everywhere at the same time. But we are combing the area to rescue the victims,” he added.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was still verifying details and would give an update later.

As at the time of filing this report, neither the police nor the state government had issued an official statement.

The attack has triggered renewed panic in Isapa, Eruku and surrounding communities, with many residents fearing that bandits may be attempting to establish a stronghold in the area.

Local vigilantes have intensified night patrols, while some religious centres have reduced evening activities.

The Isapa incident marks the third major attack on communities in Ekiti LGA within a month.

Three weeks ago, 18 residents were kidnapped in Eruku but were later rescued.

Last week, 38 worshippers were abducted during a Thanksgiving service in Eruku and were eventually released.