25th November, 2025
Violence erupted in Isapa community, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, as armed bandits launched a coordinated attack on Monday evening, abducting 11 residents including vulnerable victims.
The assault, which occurred around 6:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025, was carried out by approximately 20 to 30 heavily armed gunmen who stormed the town while herding cattle and firing indiscriminately. An elderly woman sustained gunshot injuries from a stray bullet during the chaos.
A community leader confirmed that seven of the abducted persons belong to the same household. The victims comprise a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children whose ages range from 5 to 23 years.
Those taken captive have been identified as Talatu Kabiru (20), Magaji (6), Kande (5), Hadiza (10), Mariam (6), Saima (5), Habibat (housewife), Fatima Yusufu (housewife), Sarah Sunday (22, pregnant), Lami Fidelis (23, nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah (nursing mother).
Following the attack, residents discovered multiple bullet holes piercing walls and doors across the community. Spent AK-47 ammunition shells littered various locations where the gunmen operated before escaping with their captives through bush paths.
Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo acknowledged the incident, stating he was heading to Isapa from Ilorin to assess the situation firsthand and coordinate rescue operations.
The attack occurred barely 24 hours after 38 church worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in nearby Eruku town were released. In that earlier incident, which took place on November 18, gunmen had stormed the church during a service, killing three worshippers and kidnapping the pastor along with other congregants.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has established a cabinet-level security committee to develop alternative short-to-long term solutions to prevent further security breaches, according to his spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye. The committee will engage traditional rulers and other stakeholders to design a security strategy specific to Kwara State, with a four-week deadline for submitting recommendations.
Security agencies and local vigilante groups have intensified efforts to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims as tension grips Isapa and surrounding communities.