By Our Reporter
Suspected terrorists have reportedly killed five people during an early morning attack on Kemanji, a border community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident, which occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, triggered panic among residents, many of whom fled their homes to nearby bushes and neighbouring communities as heavy gunfire echoed across the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers stormed the community and engaged security operatives, including soldiers and local vigilantes, in a fierce gun battle that lasted for about two hours.
A resident said the confrontation resulted in casualties among security personnel, noting that several soldiers were feared killed, although the full extent of the damage remained unclear as of daybreak.
Another community member confirmed that at least one vigilante was killed during the attack, while reports suggest that up to four soldiers may have lost their lives.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation from the Kwara State Police Command or military authorities. It also remains uncertain whether any residents were abducted during the raid.
The latest violence adds to a growing pattern of attacks in Kaiama, which has witnessed repeated assaults by suspected terrorists in recent months. Just 10 days earlier, five forest guards were killed in a similar attack in Nuku community, where properties were also destroyed.
In February, the area suffered a major tragedy when at least 75 people were killed in coordinated attacks on several communities. The incident was described as a “massacre” by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, while President Bola Tinubu subsequently ordered the deployment of additional troops to the state.
Security agencies have yet to provide an official update on the latest attack.