TERROR RETURNS TO KWARA: Pregnant Woman, Children Among 11 Abducted in Fresh Night Raid

Kwara State has been thrown into panic once again as armed bandits launched another violent assault on the quiet community of Isapa, near Eruku in the Ekiti Local Government Area, abducting at least eleven residents, including a pregnant woman and several children. The attack, which unfolded late Monday night, has deepened growing concerns over the worsening security situation in the state, leaving families devastated and authorities scrambling for answers.

Residents say the gunmen stormed the area in large numbers, firing sporadically to force people out of their homes while instilling fear and confusion. According to eyewitness accounts, the bandits moved from house to house in a coordinated sweep, dragging out victims at gunpoint before herding them into the surrounding forests. The abducted individuals include a heavily pregnant woman, children whose ages are yet to be confirmed, and several adults, among them a man who was reportedly shot after resisting the attackers. The injured victim was rushed to a nearby medical facility, and his condition remains uncertain at press time.

The incident marks yet another chapter in a disturbing pattern of attacks that have plagued Kwara communities in recent months. What was once considered a relatively peaceful state has increasingly found itself on the map of violent criminal operations, particularly in the border communities where the terrain provides easy access routes for bandits fleeing from neighboring states. The people of Eruku, Isapa, and surrounding villages now live in constant fear, as the shadow of insecurity continues to grow larger over their everyday lives.

Locals lament that despite repeated calls for stronger security presence, the response has been slow and often reactive rather than preventive. Several residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the bandits operated for more than an hour without encountering any resistance. They expressed frustration that such attacks continue to occur with ease, suggesting a lack of adequate patrols and intelligence gathering in vulnerable areas.

Families of the kidnapped victims are said to be in emotional turmoil, with many gathering in the community square this morning to await news from security agencies or potential ransom demands. A relative of one of the abducted individuals described the night as a “horror film brought to life,” saying the screams and gunshots echoed through the darkness long after the attackers had disappeared. Another resident said the pregnant woman abducted is in her third trimester and fears are high over her ability to endure the harsh conditions of captivity.

Security agencies have reportedly begun a manhunt for the perpetrators. A combined team of police operatives, vigilante groups, and local hunters have been deployed to comb the forests in hopes of intercepting the gang before they move the victims further into inaccessible terrain. However, many villagers remain skeptical, noting that similar search operations in the past have yielded little or no results, often leaving families to negotiate privately with the abductors.

Authorities in Kwara State have yet to issue a detailed statement, but senior officials are said to be monitoring the situation closely. The state government, in recent months, has insisted it is working to strengthen security through community policing, intelligence partnerships, and increased operational support for security agencies. However, these assurances ring hollow to many who say the escalating attacks suggest the state is still far from winning the battle against banditry.

Security analysts warn that these recurring attacks in Kwara may be a sign of expanding operations by criminal networks displaced from other regions where military pressure has intensified. As bandits seek new territories, less fortified areas like parts of Kwara become easy hunting grounds. Analysts also highlight the economic impact on local communities, as fear of nightfall has crippled business activities, agriculture, and transportation. Farmers in the region now avoid early morning or late evening work sessions, disrupting the agricultural rhythms that many families depend on for survival.

The broader implication of the attack goes beyond Kwara. It reflects a growing national crisis that has left rural communities vulnerable and exposed. Across several states, bandits have increasingly adopted unpredictable tactics, targeting isolated communities where response times are slow and security infrastructure insufficient. While the federal government continues to announce new strategies and promises of decisive action, the situation on the ground tells a different story—one of communities forced to navigate life under threat.

As of this morning, anxiety continues to grip Isapa, with many residents unable to return to their homes for fear of another attack. Some have temporarily relocated to neighbouring towns, hoping to stay safe until the situation stabilizes. Women and children are said to be the most affected, with many families huddled together, praying for the safe return of their loved ones and for the long-overdue restoration of peace.

Meanwhile, the community leaders in Ekiti LGA have called for an emergency security intervention, urging both state and federal authorities to deploy additional personnel and surveillance equipment. They emphasized that without a sustained effort, the region may witness even more devastating attacks in the days ahead. Traditional leaders are also pleading for support, saying their people are exhausted and traumatized by the unending cycle of violence.

At press time, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and no ransom demand has been received. The silence adds to the tension, as families brace for what comes next. For now, all eyes are on the ongoing search effort, though many fear the victims may already be far from reach.

This latest attack is a grim reminder of the fragile state of security in Nigeria’s rural communities, where citizens continue to bear the brunt of a crisis that shows no sign of slowing down. As Kwara grapples with yet another heartbreak, the call for urgent, decisive, and sustained action grows louder. The people of Isapa can only wait—and hope—that the nightmare ends soon, and that their loved ones return alive.

Until then, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Kwara State, where bandits have once again made their presence felt, leaving behind fear, anguish, and a community desperate for answers.