Suspected bandits have abducted four members of the same family in Babanla community, located in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in the early hours of Wednesday. The victims were reportedly kidnapped while working on their farmland on the outskirts of the town.
According to community sources, the family members had left their home around 5 a.m. to begin their daily farming activities when the armed men struck. The attackers were said to have stormed the farmland suddenly, firing gunshots into the air before rounding up the victims.
Local sources revealed that the gunmen initially seized five people during the raid. However, one of the captives, identified as an elderly man, was later released by the attackers, while the remaining four family members were taken away to an unknown destination.
A female resident of the community, who requested anonymity, confirmed the incident, explaining that the attackers surrounded the victims on the farmland before carrying out the abduction. She noted that although the elderly man was eventually freed, the other four victims were forced into the forest by the assailants.
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Femi Yusuf, also confirmed the abduction during a telephone conversation with journalists. He expressed concern over residents moving to farms very early in the morning despite the prevailing security challenges in some rural communities.
As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the abducted family members had not been officially disclosed. The Kwara State Police Command had also yet to release a formal statement regarding the incident.
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The latest abduction has heightened tension among residents of Babanla and neighbouring communities, many of whom have complained about the growing security risks in remote farming settlements. Locals say the area has experienced recurring attacks in recent months, raising fears about the safety of farmers who depend on the surrounding forests for their livelihoods.
Community members have therefore appealed to the government and security agencies to strengthen patrols and deploy more personnel to vulnerable rural areas. They also urged authorities to intensify rescue efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims and prevent further attacks on residents.
