Suspected bandits have launched another devastating attack in Kwara State, kidnapping four rice farmers in Bokungi village under Edu Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, November 19, marking the second major security breach in the state within 24 hours.
Harvest Season Turns Deadly
According to community sources who spoke with Channels Television, the armed men stormed the rice fields during peak harvest activities. The attackers surrounded their victims at gunpoint before forcibly taking them into the nearby bush. The abduction happened less than a day after gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted several others during a church service in Eruku community.
A local source confirmed the disturbing pattern, stating: "It has been confirmed that bandits struck again at Bokungi under the Lafiagi Emirate. Four people were abducted. Information is still emerging".
Security Vacuum and Community Response
Residents reported that the attackers operated freely for several minutes without encountering any security resistance. This latest incident has intensified fears among farming communities in Edu LGA, where multiple settlements are now being deserted as farmers become increasingly targeted during harvest periods.
The rising insecurity has created a humanitarian crisis in agricultural communities, with many farmers abandoning their livelihoods during what should be their most productive season. Local sources indicate that the situation has reached critical levels, threatening food security in the region.
Government Measures and Police Silence
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command and state government had yet to issue any official reaction at the time of reporting. This silence comes despite growing public concern about the escalating security situation.
In response to the security crisis, Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all schools in four local government areas following fresh security alerts about rising bandit activity across Kwara South. The Nigeria Union of Teachers confirmed the order through a circular signed by state chairman Yusuf Agboola, indicating the union acted on strict instructions from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq had previously visited Eruku following the deadly church attack and requested the establishment of a Forward Operating Base and Mobile Police Squadron to address the security challenges.
The consecutive attacks highlight the worsening security situation in Kwara State, particularly in farming communities that form the backbone of the region's agricultural economy. As residents continue to live in fear, many are calling for more decisive action from security agencies to protect vulnerable communities.
