Gunmen Attack Kwara Community, Kill Four Soldiers, Vigilante

Gunmen Attack Kwara Community, Kill Four Soldiers, Vigilante

Suspected terrorists on Monday launched a pre-dawn assault on a border community in Kwara State, killing four soldiers and a member of a local vigilance group in Kemanji, Kaiama Local Government Area.

Residents said the attack occurred in the early hours, throwing the community into panic as heavy gunfire echoed across the area.

A local source recounted that the assailants struck at about 3:00 a.m., engaging security personnel in a prolonged exchange of fire.

“Bandits invaded Kemanji around 3:00 a.m. Our security agents—the army and vigilantes—confronted them. The gun battle lasted for about two hours,” the resident said. “We lost some soldiers, but we are still trying to assess the full impact.”

Another resident confirmed the casualties, stating that “four soldiers were killed, and a vigilante member was also shot during the attack.”

The community, which serves as the administrative centre of Kemanji Ward in Kaiama LGA, was reportedly caught off guard as the gunmen advanced without warning, engaging both military personnel and local defenders.

During the attack, many residents fled their homes, seeking refuge in nearby bushes and neighbouring settlements as the intensity of the gunfire increased.

As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether any civilians were abducted in the incident. Authorities had yet to issue an official statement, and attempts to reach security agencies for confirmation were unsuccessful.

The latest violence adds to growing security concerns in parts of the North-Central region, where communities have faced sporadic attacks by armed groups in recent months.