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.