A deadly armed attack rocked Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday morning, leaving a vigilante dead and several homes burnt down in a suspected reprisal by the notorious ‘Mahmuda’ group.
Advertisement
The gunmen reportedly stormed the quiet community around 6:00 a.m. while most of the local vigilantes were away celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. The attackers unleashed terror on residents until a joint force from neighboring towns—including soldiers and vigilantes—arrived to repel the assailants around 11:00 a.m.
According to local authorities, the attackers faced no initial resistance, allowing them to operate freely for several hours. The Emir of Yashikira Emirate, Umoru Sariki, confirmed the killing of a vigilante member and the destruction of multiple houses during the attack.
“The situation is heartbreaking. We urgently call on the Federal Government and the military to establish a permanent security base in Karongi or nearby towns to deter future invasions,” the Emir said.
Latest News
Although the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had no prior knowledge of the assault, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident. Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, spokesperson for the 22 Brigade, verified that the deceased vigilante was killed during a joint response effort with military personnel.
The incident has stirred renewed calls for improved rural security architecture, especially in border regions where vigilante groups often serve as the first line of defense. The absence of these defenders during the holiday left Karongi exposed, leading to a loss of life and property.
Advertisement
The attack underscores the worsening insecurity in rural Nigeria and the growing need for federal intervention and sustainable defense measures to protect underserved communities.
#KwaraAttack #KarongiCrisis #GunmenInvasion #VigilanteKilled #EidSecurityGap #RuralInsecurity #BarutenViolence #NigerianArmy
Tags:
Community Attacks
Eid Festivities
Kwara News
Metro
Nigerian Crime Report
Rural Insecurity
Vigilante Justice