Bandits have launched a wave of fresh attacks in Kwara State, resulting in the murder of a pastor after his family paid a ransom, and the killing of a traditional ruler’s brother alongside the abduction of the village head himself in Patigi Local Government Area.
The brutal incidents underline a dangerous escalation of banditry and criminality across Kwara North, where residents say fear and despair are rampant.
Pastor Murdered After Ransom Payment
In Ekati village, a pastor with the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Rev. James Audu Issa, was reportedly murdered by his abductors.
Rev. Issa had been kidnapped on August 28. Although his family managed to negotiate and pay a ₦5 million ransom towards the kidnappers’ initial ₦100 million demand, the criminals allegedly demanded an additional ₦45 million before eventually killing him.
A community leader, speaking on the state of security, described the killing of the cleric as a “disturbing escalation” of banditry in Kwara North, warning that residents now live in “fear and despair.”
Village Head Abducted in Rani Ramat
In a separate, but equally alarming, attack on Sunday evening, the village head of Rani (also known as Rani Ramat), Alhaji Ndako, was abducted. Assailants, reportedly riding on motorcycles, stormed the community around 7 p.m. while residents were preparing for prayers.
During the attack, Alhaji Ndako’s younger brother, Alhaji Liman, was killed. The abduction of the village head and the killing of his relative highlight the bandits’ brazen disregard for community leaders.
Local sources indicate that the impunity of criminal gangs has reached alarming levels in the region, with continuous cases of kidnapping, extortion, and murder creating a security crisis.
