Gunmen attack Kwara villages; kill 4 members of local vigilante group

By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Suspected gunmen have attacked some villages in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state killing four members of the local vigilante group and injuring several others
The Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar said Wednesday that the gunmen mounted a camp in the National Park to move from one community to another to terrorise the residents.
The National Park covers about 50 kilometre of land between Kaiama local council in Kwara state and Borgu local government area of Niger state.
Besides, Abubakar said the hoodlums robbed the residents of their belongings particularly foodstuff, cows and goats worth millions of naira.
According to him, when the attack was becoming incessant, the council decided to deploy its members of the local vigilante to place surveillance on the place.
“Unfortunately, when the vigilante approached them in their camp, they opened fire to the extent that they killed one of the vigilante men and three others are missing.
“We don’t know their whereabouts and for now nobody can go into the bush and start searching for the dead body”, he said.
The council boss stated that the armed hoodlums were fond of blocking the roads at night to dispossess people of their money.
“One of our vigilante men is confirmed dead. While three others are missing, several other vigilante men were injured”, said the council chief.
The villages attacked by the gunmen according to him, were Tunga Maje, Nukku and Woro among others.
He, however, noted that the state government has taken charge and that about 50 soldiers have been deployed from the 222 battalion to comb the bush.
DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, The Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Police Command confirmed the development.
He said that the state command had deployed mobile police men into the area and the Commissioner of Police had ordered an investigation into the issue.
He also confirmed the death of a member of the local vigilante group and three others missing.