Several residents are feared dead after suspected bandits launched a deadly early morning attack on Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The assault, which reportedly began around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, came days after the community allegedly received a threat message believed to have been sent by the attackers, heightening fear among locals.
Witness accounts indicated that the bandits stormed the area under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee their homes in panic.
Security forces, including personnel of the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, were said to have responded swiftly, confronting the attackers in a gun battle that lasted for about two hours.
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During the confrontation, the attackers reportedly deployed an explosive device targeted at a nearby military camp, causing extensive damage before pushing further into the community.
Casualties were said to have been recorded among security operatives during the exchange of fire, although the exact number remains unclear.
The attackers were also reported to have seized military patrol vehicles and motorcycles before retreating from the scene.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Kwara State Government had issued an official statement confirming the incident or providing details on the number of casualties.
The attack adds to growing concerns over the spread of banditry into parts of the North Central region, with communities increasingly exposed to coordinated assaults and security threats.