Bandits storm Kwara community, kill police officer, four others
About 200 armed bandits on Saturday invaded Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Council of Kwara State, killing at least five people, including a police officer.
The attackers, who reportedly rode motorcycles into the community, first stormed the Divisional Police Headquarters, firing shots indiscriminately. It was there that they killed the police officer, identified as Adejumo Wasiu.
After attacking the police facility, the assailants proceeded to the market, where they looted goods from traders. Confirming the incident yesterday, the spokesperson for the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the attackers fired randomly, resulting in the deaths of five people, including the police officer. She added: “A swift and coordinated response by Police operatives, Nigeria Army personnel, vigilantes, and local hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and initiated a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.”
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, and the state Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) visited Babanla on Sunday for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation.
Ejire-Adeyemi said the delegation met with the traditional ruler of Babanla, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Alabi, for high-level discussions aimed at promoting peace and enhancing collaboration between security agencies and the community.
During the visit, the joint security delegation inspected key locations, including the market, the Divisional Police Headquarters, and surrounding areas, to ensure stability had been restored.
The Commissioner of Police ordered continued armed patrols, intelligence gathering, and the deployment of specialised tracking teams, while the DSS pledged ongoing intelligence support to apprehend those involved in the attack.
The CP reiterated the command’s commitment to working with other security agencies to protect lives and property in Kwara State. Residents were urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information.
