Kwara Police Probe Deadly Incidents in Baruten and Kaiama LGAs Amid Vigilante Fatality
The Kwara State Police Command has launched an investigation into two deadly incidents that occurred in Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas (LGAs) on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people, including a local vigilante.
In a statement shared with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, Senior Police Officer (SP) Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the casualties and revealed that a suspect has been detained in connection with the events.
"At about 9:30 pm, suspected armed men, numbering ten, stormed the Ilesha Baruba Motor Park and opened fire indiscriminately at civilians gathered at a nearby relaxation spot," Ejire-Adeyemi said.
"As a result, six persons, identified as Alhaji Ja'awire, AbdulJabar, Mohammed Nasamu, and three others, lost their lives, while two others sustained serious gunshot injuries."
She added that the deceased had been deposited at the Ilesha Baruba Mortuary for autopsy, while the injured were receiving treatment at a local medical facility.
The police also confirmed an earlier attack on the same day, around 11:30 a.m., involving a vigilante patrol team operating in the Kainji National Park area near Kemanji in Kaiama LGA.
"In a related incident, a Kemanji-based vigilante group on routine foot patrol encountered suspected bandits within the Kainji National Park area," she stated.
"In the course of the gun duel, three of the suspected bandits suffered fatal gunshot wounds, and a member of the vigilante, Yusuf Samba, was shot and later succumbed to his injuries."
SP Ejire-Adeyemi stated that the investigation led to the arrest of an informant linked to a bandit network.
She disclosed, "Our investigation culminated in the arrest of an informant, who admitted to collaborating with a group of bandits. This individual has proven to be a valuable asset in advancing the investigation."
She further assured residents that the command has intensified security operations across the affected communities.
"The Kwara State Police Command assures residents of both communities that full security architecture has been activated, including tactical teams, intensified surveillance, and intelligence-led operations aimed at restoring peace and order.
"Let it be made categorically clear that anyone aiding or abetting crime in any part of the state will face the full weight of the law," she added.
The command called on residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and report suspicious activities promptly.
A new terror group identified as Mahmuda, also known as the Mallam Group, has reportedly emerged in the North Central region, according to a Saturday PUNCH report.
The National Counter-Terrorism Centre, operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser, confirmed the group's existence to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
Believed to be a splinter faction of Boko Haram, the Mahmuda Group is suspected to have operational ties to extremist networks in Niger and Mali.
Reports from other news sources have linked the group to the recent attacks in Kwara State that claimed seven lives.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji Eleja Taiwo Banu IYA ALFA NLA Abubakar Baba Abubakar Kawu Baraje Ebola Woro Coronavirus George Funsho Adebayo Yusuf Zulu-Gambari Ramadhan Kale Belgore 07039448763 Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence Boko Haram Nigerian Correctional Service Kayode Oyin-Zubair Kwara South Eleja Prince Mahe Abdulkadir Oba Sulaiman Asude Asa LGEA School Garment Factory Pategi Orire Shuaib Abdulkadir TETFUND Abdulrahman Abdulrasak Timothy Olatunde Fadipe James Ayeni Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa Agbarigidoma Bond KWSUED Amuda Musbau Muhammed Mahe Abdulkadir Abubakar Ndakene Galadima UTME Kwara Consultative Forum Wasiu Odewale Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations Saduki Lafiagi Abdulrauf Aliyu Lai Mohammed Adama Isa TESCOM 2025 Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum Abdulkadir Orire Metro Park Nurudeen Muhammed Sarah Alade Arandun Bola Tinubu Saka Balikis Kehinde Femi Oladiji Bola Olukoju Saadu Alanamu Idi-Ape Ishaq Oloyede Alaro Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore Senate President Kola Ologbondiyan Royal FM Modibo Kawu Mutawali Of Ilorin Kwara Metro Park Yakubu Dogara Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon Tunde Idiagbon Road IHS Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi Hamza Usman Isiaka Abdulrazak Ajike People Support Centre 2023 Elections

