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December 15, 2025 — Dalena Reporters
Suspected terrorist have carried out coordinated early-morning attacks on several communities in Kwara State, abducting many residents in raids that have heightened fears over the expanding reach of criminal gangs into north‑central Nigeria.
According to reports obtained by Dalena Reporters, the attackers struck at dawn, moving from house to house and firing gunshots to intimidate residents before whisking their victims away into surrounding bush paths. The assailants reportedly operated with little resistance, exploiting the absence of security personnel at the time of the attacks.
Local sources said the victims include adult men and women seized from their homes, while others narrowly escaped as the gunmen retreated with their captives. Residents described the raids as swift and well‑coordinated, suggesting prior knowledge of the communities’ layout and security gaps.
Community members said the attacks triggered panic, forcing many residents to flee temporarily to neighbouring villages. “They came very early, shooting and shouting. People ran in different directions to save their lives,” a resident told Dalena Reporters.
The latest abductions underscore growing concerns that terrorist and kidnapping previously concentrated in parts of the North‑West and North‑East—are becoming increasingly entrenched in Kwara and other states in the North‑Central region. Analysts warn that rural communities, often poorly policed and geographically exposed, remain prime targets for criminal groups seeking ransom payments.
Family members of the abducted victims expressed fears that the captives may be held for ransom, a tactic commonly employed by armed groups operating across the region. As of press time, no formal ransom demand had been publicly confirmed.
Residents accused authorities of failing to provide adequate security, despite repeated warnings about suspicious movements and rising criminal activity in the area. They called on the Kwara State Government and federal security agencies to urgently deploy security forces and intensify patrols to prevent further attacks.
The Kwara State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report. However, security sources said efforts were underway to track the attackers and rescue the abducted residents.
The morning raids add to a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Nigeria’s rural communities, where kidnappings for ransom continue to threaten livelihoods, displace families and erode public confidence in the state’s ability to protect citizens.
As affected communities mourn and remain on edge, residents say sustained security presence and actionable intelligence not temporary deployments are urgently needed to stem the tide of violence and restore a sense of safety.