Bandits kill five forest guards in fresh Kwara attack

Suspected bandits have struck again in Kwara State, killing five forest guards during a fresh assault on Nuku village in Kaiama Local Government Area in the early hours of Friday.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 3:00 a.m., firing sporadically and throwing residents into panic as they unleashed violence on the settlement.

A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the assailants arrived in large numbers and operated for hours without resistance.

“They entered through their usual route in large numbers in the early hours of today, April 10, 2026, at Nuku. They started shooting directly and, within a short time, killed several innocent people, including the newly recruited forest guards,” the source said.

In addition to the loss of lives, several properties were destroyed during the assault. Motorcycles belonging to the forest guards were set ablaze, while patrol vehicles operated by the mobile police were also burnt, according to the source.

The Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report. The command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, told our correspondent that she did not have details of the attack but promised to provide updates when more information becomes available.

The latest killings have heightened fear among residents, many of whom continue to express concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The attack comes barely two months after a deadly assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in the same local government area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed and about 176 others abducted, including women and children.

Fresh anxiety has also been triggered by the emergence of a new video on Thursday showing abducted villagers from Woro and surrounding communities, with victims making desperate appeals for government intervention.

In the footage dated April 8, a young woman pleaded in English: “We are begging you, this is our last opportunity. We have been here since February 3. Please, come to our rescue. We have small children with us and some women are pregnant.”

Another captive added in Yoruba: “Please, Kwara State Government, Oyo State Government, help us. This is the last chance they gave us.”

In the background of the video, one of the armed men claimed responsibility for the abduction while attempting to justify the act. Earlier footage released in February had shown rows of women and children surrounded by armed men, with some captives confirming they were taken from Woro and Kaiama in Kwara State.

Reacting to the development at the time, the Kwara State Government expressed concern over the videos 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.”

She cautioned against speculation on the exact number of abducted persons, noting that conflicting reports from affected communities had made verification difficult.

Despite these assurances, residents say the renewed attack on Nuku underscores the persistent vulnerability of rural communities in the area, as families of abducted victims continue to wait anxiously for their loved ones’ return.