Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits killed five residents and abducted an unspecified number of villagers in multiple attacks across three communities in Kwara State’s Baruten local government area on Monday night, police and residents confirmed Tuesday, in the latest surge of violence gripping Nigeria’s north-central region.
The assailants struck simultaneously at Gaa, Gwanara and Okulo villages around 1:00 am, firing indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze before rounding up captives, mostly women and children.
Eyewitness Mallam Ibrahim Usman told journalists: “They came in large numbers on motorcycles, shooting everywhere. They killed five people on the spot — three in Gaa, one in Gwanara and one in Okulo. They took away many others; we are still counting.”
A distraught resident of Gwanara added: “They burnt several houses and shops. We are living in fear. This is the third attack in two months.”
Kwara Police Command spokesman DSP Toun Ejire confirmed the incidents, stating: “We received reports of attacks in Gaa, Gwanara and Okulo communities. Five persons were killed while some others were abducted. Our men have been deployed to the area and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators.”
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned the carnage, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable,” and directed security agencies to intensify patrols. He said: “We will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice and peace is fully restored.”
Baruten, bordering Benin Republic, has recorded over 20 similar raids this year, with locals accusing authorities of inaction despite repeated distress calls. Rights groups renewed demands for federal military outposts and aerial surveillance to curb the escalating banditry threatening food security and regional stability.
