Many persons are reportedly feared dead following a fresh bandit attack on the Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in the early hours of Monday.
Findings revealed that the attack, which occurred at about 3:00 a.m., was allegedly preceded by a threat letter reportedly sent to the community by the assailants, raising tension among residents in the days leading up to the incident.
The PUNCH gathered that the attackers eventually struck under the cover of darkness, firing gunshots indiscriminately and throwing the community into panic as residents fled for safety.
According to sources, security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted until about 5:00 a.m.
“Our security agents, including the army and local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in an intense gun battle that lasted till about 5:00 a.m.,” a representative from Kaiama TV said.
The source added that the attackers, upon arrival, allegedly launched an explosive device at a military camp in the area, causing significant damage before advancing further into the community.
During the exchange of fire, casualties were recorded among security personnel.
“They killed some of our soldiers, but we still cannot ascertain how disastrous the attack was until daybreak,” the source stated.
An eyewitness account indicated that several soldiers lost their lives while repelling the attack, while a member of the local vigilante group was reportedly shot, with his condition yet to be confirmed.
“It’s very pathetic and disheartening. The entire community is in a state of panic, and many villagers have fled. No one can yet predict the number of victims involved,” Aliyu, a resident of Kaiama, said.
The attackers were also said to have carted away military patrol vehicles and motorcycles before fleeing the scene.
In the aftermath of the attack, aggrieved youths in the area called for a temporary halt to political activities, describing the development as a moment of collective grief.
“All political postings are hereby suspended till further notice. This is a moment of national grief. Bandits have killed our soldiers in Kemanji under Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State,” the youths declared.
“These men died protecting us. We mourn with their families, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the people of Kemanji. May Almighty Allah grant them eternal rest. No politics. We stand with our troops,” they added.
Reacting to the incident, a prominent community member and former President of Students Union Government, A.K Musa, decried the worsening insecurity in the area and called on leaders to take decisive action.
“The truth representation is to have leaders who can speak, stand and fight against insecurity, and identify those connected to the criminals terrorising our community. I must appreciate our local security men. May Allah reward them,” he said.
“The whole of political office holders and those aspiring to one office or another should first speak out and stand for the community they seek to represent because our people are dying.”
He further urged both political and traditional leaders in Kaiama to rise to the challenge and address the situation urgently.
“Kaiama community leaders, both political and traditional, must come out to redress the insecurity situation. What is happening now suggests that our leaders have failed us.”
Musa also stressed the need for accountability, insisting that leaders who cannot defend the people should step aside.
“I say this without apology: any leader, either political or traditional, who cannot stand for their people should resign from their position. We have waited too long without results. What we want and need is excellent results,” he added.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain official police reaction to the incident were unsuccessful, as the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, did not respond to calls and messages as of press time.
The latest incident comes amid a resurgence of violent attacks in Kaiama LGA. On April 10, 2026, bandits reportedly killed five members of the National Forest Guard in Nuku village and set security patrol vehicles ablaze.
Similarly, in February, armed assailants attacked Woro and Nuku communities in the same area, where over 200 residents were reportedly killed, and 176 others abducted, including women and children.
