Suspected members of the ‘Mahmuda’ group launched a deadly attack on Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday, killing one person and setting several houses on fire.
Sources said the gunmen struck early in the morning, taking advantage of the absence of local vigilantes who had travelled either for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations or to attend a training workshop.
The attackers reportedly operated from around 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., before being repelled by a combined team of soldiers and vigilantes mobilised from nearby communities.
While the police claimed they were unaware of the incident, the Nigerian Army confirmed the attack. Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, spokesperson for the 22 Brigade, said the deceased was a vigilante who had accompanied the soldiers to the scene.
“The gunmen fled upon sighting the soldiers,” Nwankwo stated, adding that some makeshift homes were also set ablaze during the attack.
The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, also confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers struck around 6 a.m., killed one person, and burned many houses.
“They took advantage of the absence of our local security. Soldiers are stationed far away in Chikanda, so we had to mobilise vigilantes from neighbouring areas to chase the attackers away,” the Emir explained during a phone call on Sunday night.
When contacted, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, said she was not yet aware of the incident and would investigate.
