Suspected terrorists on Friday evening invaded Adanla community in Igbaja Ward 2 of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, abducting seven residents and injuring several others, barely 24 hours after Christmas celebrations.
Sources who spoke with SaharaReporters said the attack occurred at about 7 pm, plunging the usually calm agrarian community into chaos, fear, and mourning. Residents recounted that the attackers arrived in large numbers, moving aggressively through the area while firing sporadically into the air to instil fear and suppress any resistance.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen forcefully entered several homes, dragging out occupants and seizing valuables before abducting their victims. In the process, multiple residents sustained gunshot injuries as they attempted to flee or resist the attackers. A community source confirmed that a young girl was seriously wounded during the raid and is currently receiving emergency medical care, with her condition described as critical.
The source described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that many families had gathered to celebrate the festive season when the attackers struck. He said the abduction of seven residents has left families traumatised, with relatives now living in fear of possible ransom demands.
Residents said the attack has shattered the sense of safety in Adanla and neighbouring communities, as people now fear further raids. Many villagers were seen fleeing their homes or spending the night in hiding, worried that the attackers might return.
Community leaders and residents expressed frustration over what they described as the persistent lack of adequate security in rural areas of Kwara State. They lamented that repeated calls for increased patrols and security presence along vulnerable routes and settlements have yielded little result.
As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether security agencies had commenced a rescue operation or if any suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack. Attempts to reach the Kwara State Police Command for official confirmation and details of ongoing security measures were unsuccessful.
The attack has further heightened concerns about the growing insecurity in Kwara State and the wider North Central region, where incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks have continued to escalate in recent months, even during festive periods.
The incident also comes amid heightened tension in the state following reports of explosions in parts of Offa, Kwara State, late on Thursday night. Residents of Offa were thrown into panic after loud blasts rocked the town, damaging several residential buildings and shops.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing debris falling from the sky shortly after the explosions, raising fears that the incident may have involved aerial ordnance. In video footage obtained by SaharaReporters, large fragments believed to be parts of a drone delivered explosive were seen lying on the ground near damaged structures.
At least five houses, several shops, and parts of a hotel were reportedly destroyed during the explosions, with debris scattered across the affected areas. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded, according to local vigilante members and residents who visited the scene.
A member of the local vigilante group said the explosions occurred around midnight and were immediately reported to traditional leaders and security authorities. He added that security operatives later secured the affected areas to prevent further danger to residents.
The incidents in Kwara State followed shortly after United States President Donald Trump announced that US forces had carried out airstrikes targeting ISIS positions in parts of Nigeria. However, authorities have yet to confirm whether the explosions in Offa were linked to the reported US airstrikes or were the result of separate military operations by Nigerian forces.
Residents of both Adanla and Offa have called on the Kwara State Government, security agencies, and the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security across the state. They urged authorities to deploy more personnel, improve intelligence gathering, and protect communities that continue to face growing threats from armed groups.
The latest attack has further intensified public anxiety over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, with many questioning the safety of rural communities and the ability of security agencies to prevent violent attacks during periods that should be marked by peace and celebration.
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