Bandits Kill Five Forest Guards, Destroy Property in Kwara Village Attack
Armed bandits have reportedly killed five forest guards and destroyed property worth millions of naira during a violent attack on Nuku village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, April 10, 2026, further exacerbating the security crisis in the region.
Details of the Deadly Assault
According to reliable sources, the assailants arrived at the community around 3:00 a.m., shooting sporadically and causing widespread panic among residents. The invaders, who came in large numbers, operated for several hours without facing any resistance. A local informant stated, "They entered through their usual route in large numbers in the early hours of today, April 10, 2026, at Nuku and started shooting directly. Within a short time, they killed several innocent people, including the newly recruited forest guards."
In addition to the tragic loss of lives, the attack resulted in significant property damage. The source added, "The motorcycles belonging to the forest guards were set ablaze, while patrol vehicles operated by the mobile police were also burnt." As of the time of reporting, the Kwara State Police Command had not issued an official statement. The spokesperson for the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed she had not been briefed on the incident but promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Heightened Fear and Historical Context
The latest killings have intensified fear among residents, many of whom are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the area. This attack comes barely two months after a deadly assault on Woro and neighboring Nuku communities in the same local government area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed and about 176 others, including women and children, were abducted.
Fresh anxiety has been triggered by the emergence of a new video on Thursday showing abducted villagers from Woro and surrounding communities. In the footage, victims made desperate appeals for government intervention. A young woman in the video dated April 8 said in English, "Please, Kwara State Government, Oyo State Government, help us. This is the last chance they gave us." Another captive added in Yoruba, "We have small children with us and some women are pregnant."
Government Response and Ongoing Concerns
Reacting to the earlier video, the Kwara State Government expressed deep concern and reassured residents of intensified rescue efforts. The Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement, "The Kwara State Government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video allegedly showing persons abducted during the February 3 attack. Our thoughts are with all the families affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the safe return of all those impacted."
Olukoju cautioned against speculation on the exact number of abducted persons, noting that conflicting reports from affected communities had made verification difficult. She emphasized, "For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen."
Despite these assurances, residents say the renewed attack on Nuku underscores the persistent vulnerability of rural communities in the area. Families of abducted victims continue to wait anxiously for the return of their loved ones, as the security challenges in Kwara State remain a pressing issue.
