Police Officer Abducted in Kwara North as Bandit Attacks Escalate

A police officer identified as Ezra has been abducted by armed bandits in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the Kwara North region.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. while the officer was returning from duty in Patigi town and heading toward Lade. Witnesses said Ezra, an indigene of Ndanakun community, was riding ahead of a colleague on a motorcycle when the gunmen ambushed them. His colleague managed to escape, but Ezra was overpowered and taken away by the attackers, who fired shots into the air during the assault.

The abduction highlights the growing boldness of criminal groups operating in Edu and Patigi, where residents have repeatedly raised alarms about frequent kidnappings and violent attacks. Security authorities have not yet released an official statement on the incident or confirmed whether a rescue operation is underway.

The officer’s kidnapping came just hours after another violent attack in the region. On Wednesday, two brothers were abducted from their cassava farm at Bokungi Zambufu community under the Lafiagi Emirate in Edu Local Government Area. Witnesses said the assailants stormed the farmland and shot sporadically, forcing villagers to flee. The brothers, including Mohammed Mohammed, a former President of the National Association of Nupe Students (NANUS), were seized by the gunmen and taken to an undisclosed location.

The latest wave of violence has intensified fears among local farmers, many of whom say agricultural activities in Kwara North are increasingly at risk due to persistent abductions. Residents have accused authorities of failing to take decisive action, warning that insecurity is worsening in rural communities across the state.