Violence Erupts: Multiple Militants, Three Troops Die in Intense Shootout in Kwara

Terrorists and soldiers engaged in a fierce firefight at Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State for two hours early yesterday, resulting in the deaths of several security operatives and terrorists, with many more injured.

The clash occurred around 3am yesterday and lasted till 5am, with the terrorists reportedly carting away weapons and an army gun truck in the process, as well as motorcycles and ammunition belonging to the security team.

Efforts to get the military high command to react to the attack at press time yesterday proved abortive, with calls also placed to Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, and the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi, going unreplied.

A former council chairman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen stormed the community in large numbers and directly targeted the security formation, comprising soldiers, forest guards and vigilantes, killing three soldiers and two vigilantes, and injuring many others.

The terrorists also took about twelve motorcycles, guns and ammunition, and even went away with the army gun truck, according to the former council chairman, who added that the injured were evacuated to hospitals, while those with severe injuries were referred to Ilorin for further treatment.

Residents were not attacked during the incident, with a source noting that the terrorists did not kidnap or harm any residents, but only engaged the security personnel, a claim corroborated by a resident, Mohammed Mohammed.

Mohammed Mohammed said the attackers initially overwhelmed the troops and escaped with military equipment, including an armoured vehicle, motorcycles, arms and ammunition, with security forces launching a pursuit operation into the surrounding forest.

Another resident, who preferred anonymity, said the attackers also evacuated their casualties, raising concerns about possible local collaboration, as three soldiers were killed and the army also neutralised some of the terrorists.

The village head of Kemanji, Alhaji Sanni Zikki, confirmed the attack, attributing it to terrorists operating from a nearby forest, and said the security operatives resisted the attack, despite its intensity, with no civilian casualties reported.

In Plateau State, no fewer than six persons were reportedly killed, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries, following two separate attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.

Four persons were killed, with five others injured during an attack on Hurum Gashish community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, which occurred at about 10 pm on Sunday, with gunmen invading the area and opening fire on residents.

In a related development, two persons were confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in another attack on Shonong Bachi community of Riyom Local Government Area, which took place around 11 p.m. on the same day, with gunmen storming the community and shooting sporadically.

The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tenglong, confirmed the incidents, describing the attacks as worrisome, and expressing concern over the recurring violence in rural communities across the state.

In Benue State, suspected armed herders killed five people in a fresh attack on Tse Ameen community in Mbapa Council Ward, Gwer West Local Government Area, with locals saying the attackers invaded the community on Saturday night and unleashed an attack on the sleepy community.

A local, who did not want to be named, said five bodies were recovered on Sunday, while many were still missing, with the state police command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirming the attack and saying four dead bodies were recovered.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, sympathised with the people of the local government and urged security agents to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended, following the attack on Tse Ameen community.

A rescued candidate of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Agatha Buter, recounted the terrifying experience she and other passengers endured after armed men attacked a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi-Otukpo highway.

Agatha said they were subjected to severe intimidation and physical abuse by their abductors, who threatened them with guns and bullets and beat them with cutlasses to force their parents to raise the ransom of N10 million they demanded.

The male victims were particularly targeted during the ordeal, with Agatha saying they were beaten repeatedly with cutlasses because the kidnappers were pushing for the ransom, and adding that the captors were armed herdsmen operating from a forest-based settlement.

Agatha expressed gratitude to security agencies and the Benue State government, noting that their intervention contributed to their eventual release, after they were poorly fed throughout their captivity and given garri with salt and sometimes mangoes to eat.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr Adekimi Ojo, confirmed that 42 illegal miners had been arrested, following the abduction of His Royal Highness, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda, of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government area of Kwara State.

The Police Commissioner said the monarch was abducted by ten fully-armed terrorists on Saturday evening, following the royalty earlier paid him in the day by the miners, with the terrorists breaking down the door of his palace and demanding the money the miners gave him earlier in the day.

Adekimi added that the monarch immediately gave them the money and was, thereafter, taken away with his brother, who was with him, with the police using drones and other logistics to eventually arrest 42 illegal miners in the community.

The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area in Kwara State, Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, confirmed the abduction of the traditional ruler, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in Kwara South, and saying the local government was already working with security agencies to secure the monarch’s release.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, charged troops to intensify ongoing operations against terrorists and other criminal elements in the North West and crush them, stressing that Nigeria must be made safe at all costs, during his operational visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fasan Yamma, OPFY, in Gusau, Zamfara State.

General Oluyede commended the troops for their resilience, courage and sacrifices in the defence of the nation, urging them to remain disciplined, professional and relentless in the fight against banditry and terrorism, and assuring them of continued support in the areas of welfare, training and provision of necessary operational equipment.