Kwara State was thrown into mourning on Tuesday as armed bandits launched separate attacks in Patigi and Ifelodun local government areas, killing a pregnant woman and a police officer, while several others were left injured or missing.

In Matogu village, Patigi LGA, the assailants struck in the early hours of the morning, unleashing terror in a raid that lasted more than three hours.

A pregnant woman was killed, while at least five others sustained serious injuries. Twelve residents were abducted, though four later escaped, leaving eight still in captivity. No ransom demand had been made as of press time.

One of the injured was transferred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) after doctors at the General Hospital, Patigi, referred him due to the severity of his wounds.

Eyewitnesses told newsmen that Kanuri farmers in a nearby village spotted the gunmen and attempted to alert Matogu residents. However, poor mobile network service hampered communication.

A community source further lamented that despite notifying the army unit stationed in Patigi ahead of the attack, security reinforcements only arrived long after the raid.

“The entire community is deserted. Our people can no longer sleep with their eyes closed. Farms and markets are empty, and our lives are at the mercy of these criminals,” the source said, adding that persistent attacks have crippled farming and trade across Patigi and adjoining LGAs.

In a related incident, gunmen also struck a mining site in Agbonran, Ifelodun LGA, killing a police orderly, Corporal Salisu Shamaki, who was attached to Chinese miners operating in the area. Shamaki, a native of Mariga LGA in Niger State, joined the police in 2017/2018. He was killed in an ambush, leaving behind a pregnant wife.

Three other policemen attached to the mining site are still missing, though the expatriates escaped unhurt.