•Governor lauds vigilantes’ bravery
Bandits yesterday stormed a cattle settlement in Ekuku, Kwara State, near the border with Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to intelligence reports, the attackers arrived in large numbers, stole several cows, and set a vigilante vehicle ablaze.
This was barely a day after bandits attacked farmers working on the outskirts of Kankara, Katsina State, kidnapping several people and stealing motorcycles.
In a video, a member of the local security team, speaking in English and Yoruba, confirmed the Kwara incident, stating: “Bandits attacked us at Ekuku today. Many cows were stolen and a vigilante vehicle was burnt to ashes. This is it. A vehicle belonging to the vigilance group in Ekiti Local Government
Area in Kwara State is what was burnt to ashes like this. It is what you are looking at in this video.
State government, please, come to our aid; these bastards are everywhere. They are uncontrollable. Everything in this vehicle has been burnt.”
Similarly, on Saturday in Kwara South, a once-peaceful senatorial district, was thrown into mourning and fear after hoodlums ambushed local vigilantes, killing two, leaving six missing, and setting ablaze more than 27 motorcycles belonging to community defenders in Isanlu Isin, Isin Local Council of the state.
The attack followed weeks of escalating insecurity in the area.
According to the Isanlu Isin Community Development Association, the crisis began with bandit raids on Fulani settlements surrounding the community, where residents were attacked, kidnapped, and forced to pay a huge ransom.
However, many abducted individuals remain unaccounted for.
As tensions rose, Fulani settlers abandoned their homes and began occupying uncompleted buildings in the town, a situation locals say was duly reported, but ignored by authorities.
Four days before the ambush, intelligence reportedly revealed plans by the bandits to invade the town.
In response, local vigilantes, supported by counterparts from Omu-Aran, Oko, Ola, and other neighbouring communities, mobilised to defend their people. Unfortunately, they were lured into an ambush by the attackers.
Despite putting up resistance, the vigilantes suffered heavy losses. Two men were reportedly killed, six others remain missing, and their motorcycles, critical to responding to distress calls, were destroyed.
With no intervention from security agencies, the distraught residents resorted to blocking the Ilorin–Lokoja highway to draw attention to their plight.
In a statement signed by Vice President of the Isanlu Isin Development Association, Dr Jacob Ayanda, the community made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government, the police, the military, and other relevant security agencies to intervene urgently.
They called for the replacement of the vigilantes’ motorcycles and equipment, immediate search-and-rescue operations for the missing men, and a full security operation to comb the surrounding forests.
The Katsina incident was revealed in a post shared on X yesterday by security analyst,Bakatsine.
According to Bakatsine, the gunmen struck while the farmers were in their fields.
“Yesterday afternoon, bandits attacked farmers on the outskirts of Kankara, Katsina State, abducting several and seizing motorcycles.
“Kankara had only recently struck a peace deal with bandits, yet attacks on farmers in LGA remain relentless,” Bakatsine wrote.
Authorities in Katsina have not yet issued an official statement on the attack.
However, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday, commended the courage of Isin community vigilantes, whose resistance led to the elimination of several armed criminals during an encounter at Eleyin, Isin Local Council.
The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the community’s response reaffirmed the right of citizens to live without fear or intimidation.
“In addition to government support for security agencies, our communities will continue to receive backing to resist violent attacks. I commend the bravery of the Isin and Irepodun vigilantes who mounted a spirited resistance against the criminals,” he said.
AbdulRazaq expressed condolences to the family of Mr. Saheed Adeshina, a vigilante member who died from injuries sustained in the operation, praying for the repose of his soul and assuring the family of the government’s support.
He also announced N10 million financial assistance to the bereaved family, praising the deceased’s courage and sacrifice.
The governor said the reported mass neutralisation of the criminals signalled that Kwarans would not accept further provocation, adding that the government would not only replace motorcycles lost in the encounter, but also increase logistic support for security forces and vigilantes across the state.
“As we mount this bold resistance against criminality, I urge restraint so that our collective well-being is not undermined by violent protests. Together, we will rid our communities of criminal elements, as security forces work with vigilantes to strengthen public safety,” the statement added.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Army has extended Operation Fansan Yamma to Kwara as part of its mandate to support internal security nationwide.
