By Ayo Kehinde
Tension has heightened in communities under the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State after gunmen launched a fresh attack on Isapa community, abducting 11 residents on Monday night.
The incident comes barely two weeks after bandits invaded the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the same LGA, kidnapping 38 worshippers and killing several others.
Residents said more than 20 armed attackers stormed the community with a large herd of cattle, firing sporadically to create panic.
An elderly woman was reportedly struck by a stray bullet, though her condition remained unclear as of press time.
A community leader, who requested anonymity for security reasons, confirmed that 11 persons were abducted, including seven members of the same family.
The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.
Those kidnapped were identified as:
Talatu Kabiru (20), Magaji (6), Kande (5), Hadiza (10), Mariam (6), Saima (5), Habibat (housewife), Fatima Yusufu (pregnant), Sarah Sunday (22), Lami Fidelis (23), and Haja Na Allah (nursing mother).
Eyewitnesses described how the gunmen moved through different parts of the settlement, shooting into homes and leaving bullet marks on walls and doors. By Tuesday morning, spent AK-47 shells littered the area, reflecting the intensity of the raid.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has confirmed the attack. Further details are expected as security operatives intensify efforts to track the perpetrators and rescue the victims.
