Gunmen Abduct Four Family Members on Kwara Farm

Gunmen Abduct Four Family Members on Kwara Farm

Tension has gripped Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected bandits abducted four members of the same family while they were working on their farm in the early hours of Wednesday.

The victims were said to have left their home around 5:00 a.m. for routine farm work when the attackers struck. The incident reportedly occurred on farmland located on the outskirts of the community.

Sources within Babanla said the armed men stormed the area without warning and began shooting into the air, causing panic among farmers nearby. According to a resident familiar with the incident, five persons were initially rounded up by the gunmen.

“The attackers first seized five people,” the source said. “But they later released an elderly man and took the remaining four away to an unknown destination.”

A female resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the abduction. “It is true that four members of the family were kidnapped on their farm this morning,” she said. “They came suddenly and surrounded them. The elderly man was later freed, but the others were taken away.”

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the abducted victims had not been officially released.

Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Femi Yusuf, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation. Expressing frustration over the development, he questioned the decision to go to the farm so early given the prevailing security concerns.

“How and why should any sane person go to farm at 5:00 a.m.? We all know the situation on ground,” he said. “No one needs to be told when it is safe to go about.”

Yusuf, however, maintained that security agencies are responsible for tackling such incidents. “Yes, I am aware, and there is nothing I can do about it because we have soldiers, police, vigilantes and forest guards there,” he stated. “If with their presence we still experience banditry attacks, then they should be the ones to answer for it.”

Babanla and other rural settlements in Ifelodun Local Government have faced repeated security breaches in recent times. Residents have continued to lament what they describe as inadequate protection for farmers working in remote areas.

The Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the latest abduction as of press time.

Meanwhile, community members are urging the government and security agencies to intensify patrols across vulnerable farm settlements and ensure the safe return of the abducted family members.