By Lubem Mammam

At least one person was killed and several residents were reportedly kidnapped after armed bandits invaded three communities in Kwara State on Thursday night. The attacks targeted Gaa-Alla and Gaa-Oke Abba communities in Isin Local Government Area, as well as Famole Community in neighbouring Ifelodun Local Government Area, prompting a security operation involving police, military personnel and forest guards.

Fresh concerns over rural security have emerged in Kwara State following coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on multiple communities in Isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas.

The attacks reportedly occurred around 10 p.m. when armed men stormed Gaa-Alla and Gaa-Oke Abba communities in Isin LGA and Famole Community in neighbouring Ifelodun LGA.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed that two residents were abducted from Gaa-Alla Community.

According to the police commissioner, security agencies are actively pursuing the attackers.

“I can only confirm that in Gaa-Alla Community, two people were abducted and that the police, in conjunction with the military and forest guards, are on the trail of the assailants,” Ojo said.

However, residents and community sources claim the scale of the attacks may be greater than official figures currently indicate.

Community sources reported that at least two residents were taken from Gaa-Alla, while efforts were still underway to determine the number of victims abducted from Gaa-Oke Abba Community.

The violence turned fatal in Famole Community, where residents reportedly attempted to resist the attackers. During an exchange of gunfire, one resident was killed.

Local sources said the confrontation occurred as community members sought to prevent the attackers from carrying out further abductions.

The incident has renewed concerns about insecurity in rural communities located near forested areas, which residents say have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.

Famole Community is situated along the Share–Oke Ode Road near the Oyi River in Oke-Ode Ward II of Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the attackers, while investigations continue to establish the full number of victims and the circumstances surrounding the attacks.