Gunmen Abduct Four Family Members on Kwara Farmland

Suspected bandits have abducted four members of the same family from a farmland in Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The victims reportedly left home around 5 a.m. on Wednesday for farm work when the attack happened in the early hours of the day. Community sources said the armed men stormed the farm unexpectedly and fired into the air before taking the victims away.

Femi Yusuf, chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, confirmed the incident to journalists and questioned why residents would go to farms at such an early hour despite insecurity concerns. "How and why should any sane person go to farm at 5a.m.? We all know the situation on ground, no one needs to be told to know when it is safe to go about," he said.

Local accounts indicated that five people were initially seized during the raid. One elderly man was later released, while four other family members were moved to an unknown destination. A community source said the attackers arrived suddenly and surrounded the group while they were carrying out their normal routine on the farm.

A female resident, whose name was withheld, also confirmed the abduction. "It is true that they abducted four family members. They were kidnapped on their farmland this morning," she said. She added, "They came suddenly and surrounded them. The elderly man was later freed, but four others were taken away by the bandits."

As of the time of reporting, authorities had not officially released the identities of the abducted victims. Yusuf said security personnel, including soldiers, police, vigilantes and forest guards, were present in the area but attacks were still occurring. "Yes, I am aware and there is nothing I can do to it because we have soldiers, police, vigilantes and forest guards are there," he said. "If with their presence in the area we still experience banditry attack, then they (the security operatives) should be ones to answer for it."

Babanla and other communities in Ifelodun have faced repeated security incidents in recent months, with residents raising concerns about inadequate coverage in remote areas. Residents are calling on government and security agencies to increase patrols, deploy more personnel to vulnerable rural communities, and secure the release of those abducted.