Terrorists have kidnapped 23 people in separate attacks carried out in Kwara and Kebbi states.
In Kwara State, 10 persons were abducted during coordinated attacks launched in the early hours of yesterday. The attackers also set the palace of the Emir of Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area ablaze and attempted to invade the nearby police divisional headquarters, but security operatives reportedly repelled the assault.
The incident occurred less than 48 hours after terrorists killed three people and abducted 10 worshippers during a night vigil at a church in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, terrorists kidnapped 13 residents of Tangaram village in Wasagu District of Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area after attacking the community at midnight.
Sources in Kwara said that those abducted from the palace while trying to escape the fire included four wives of the Emir, two children and four palace aides.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said in a statement yesterday that the attackers launched simultaneous assaults around 2:00 a.m.
“The armed criminals, in a coordinated and desperate assault about 0200hrs, simultaneously attacked the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Palace of the Emir of Yashikira.
“During the attack, part of the palace was set ablaze, while 10 people were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
“However, the attack on the Police station was successfully repelled by police operatives on duty.”
13 Residents Kidnapped in Kebbi
Residents of Tangaram village said the attackers stormed the community around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, firing gunshots into the air before breaking into homes and abducting victims toward the Zamfara border.
One resident, who spoke anonymously, described the attack as frightening.
“They came on motorcycles and started shooting into the air. People ran in different directions, but they forced their way into houses and took away several residents,” the source said.
The witness noted that Tangaram and neighbouring communities have repeatedly suffered attacks because of their closeness to forest routes connecting Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger states.
Residents said recent attacks in Danko/Wasagu had led to several kidnappings, with some victims reportedly freed after ransom payments worth millions of naira.
The spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident, saying the victims were still being held captive. He, however, clarified that all those abducted were adult male residents.
“The abducted persons are still in captivity following the attack on Tangaram village, Danko/Wasagu LGA.
“Preliminary findings, however, confirmed that all the victims are adult male residents of the village, contrary to reports being circulated.”
Usman added that security agencies had intensified rescue operations across border communities.
“Police tactical teams, in collaboration with vigilante groups and other security agencies, have sustained coordinated rescue efforts along the border axis with Zamfara State with a view to ensuring the safe rescue of the victims and arrest of the perpetrators,” he added.
The latest incidents have heightened concerns over growing insecurity in border communities across Kebbi State, where residents continue to face repeated attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling by armed groups operating within the North-West forest corridor.
