By Omowumi Omotosho
Panic erupted in Babanla, a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, after gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted two teenage girls during a late-night raid on Monday.
The victims, identified as Aisha Yahaya and Mariam Yusuf, are said to be between the ages of 16 and 17.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, who were heavily armed, rode into the town around 10:30 p.m. on multiple motorcycles and began firing shots into the air to instill fear.
“They later made their way to the palace in an attempt to kidnap the king’s wife, but she escaped. They eventually took two teenage girls between the ages of 16 and 17,” a source disclosed.
Residents say the entire town was immediately thrown into chaos, with people abandoning their homes and warning nearby communities of the unfolding danger.
“As I am speaking to you, we are all outside. We can’t sleep. We don’t know if they are coming back or not,” one resident said.
Local hunters reportedly swung into action shortly after the attack, chasing after the assailants deep into the forest. A fierce gun battle between the hunters and the bandits reportedly extended into the early hours of Tuesday.
The gravity of the situation was captured in a statement issued by a coalition known as the Concerned Indigenes of Babanla.
“Our peaceful town of Babanla was once again thrown into panic and fear as armed kidnappers stormed the community on motorcycles and abducted a resident. As of this moment, local hunters have bravely pursued the kidnappers into the forest, and a tense exchange of gunfire is currently ongoing. The sounds of gunshots echo through the night, creating anxiety and deep concern among our people,” the statement read.
The group expressed dismay over the deteriorating security situation, saying the lives and livelihoods of the people were under constant threat.
“Our farms are abandoned out of fear, our roads are no longer safe, and now our homes are under threat. This is not the first incident — and it may not be the last unless urgent action is taken,” they warned.
They called on the Kwara State Government and relevant security agencies to deploy personnel immediately and to establish a lasting security presence in the area.
“This is a clarion call to all stakeholders: Enough is enough. Protect Babanla. Protect Ifelodun. Protect Kwara,” the community said.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the state government or security authorities regarding the incident or the series of recent violent attacks across both the northern and southern flanks of the state.
