Gunmen Wreak Havoc in Kwara Border Town, Kill Vigilante Member and Set Houses Ablaze

Suspected bandits linked to the notorious ‘Mahmuda’ group launched a deadly attack, killing one vigilante member and setting several homes on fire in Karongi,  Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday.

The attackers, who reportedly stormed the quiet border community between 6am and 11am, took advantage of the absence of local security operatives, many of whom were said to have travelled for Sallah celebrations or were attending a training session outside the town.

“They killed one person and burned many houses,” according to rhe Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, under whose domain Karongi falls.

He confirmed the attack during a telephone interview on Sunday evening, noting that the bandits capitalised on the town’s security vacuum.

“It was around 6 in the morning they struck. We had to mobilise local vigilantes from surrounding communities to dislodge them. It was a terrible experience,” the visibly disturbed traditional ruler added.

“The Soldiers are stationed far away in Chikanda. We need a military base nearby to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.”

The attack left residents traumatised and homes in ruins. The absence of immediate military response allowed the assailants to operate unchallenged for hours before a joint team of soldiers and vigilante members from neighbouring villages intervened and forced them to retreat.

While the police said they were unaware of the incident as of Sunday, the Nigerian Army confirmed it. Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, spokesperson of the 22 Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, stated that the slain victim was one of the vigilante operatives who had escorted soldiers to the town.

“The bandits fled as soon as they saw the soldiers,” he said. “They had already set ablaze some makeshift houses. The only casualty was a vigilante man who came with the soldiers.”

The silence from the police has sparked concerns about inter-agency coordination in securing rural communities, especially in border areas like Baruten, which have increasingly come under the radar of armed groups.

Local leaders are now calling on the Federal Government and military authorities to establish a permanent security post in Karongi or nearby communities to protect lives and property.

“We cannot continue to live in fear. We are Nigerians too,” the Emir stated.

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