BREAKING: Police Officer Abducted By Bandits In Kwara North, Colleague Escapes Ambush

A police officer identified as Ezra has been abducted by bandits in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, sparking renewed fears over the safety of security operatives in the volatile Kwara North region.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., while the officer was returning from duty in Patigi town and heading toward Lade.

Sources told Nupeko TV that Ezra, an indigene of Ndanakun community, was riding on a motorcycle ahead of a colleague when the attackers ambushed them and opened fire.

While his colleague managed to escape, Ezra, who was riding in front, was targeted, overpowered, and whisked away to an undisclosed location.

The source said the bandits were "shooting guns sporadically."

The abduction of a serving officer underscores the growing audacity of armed groups operating across Edu and Patigi, where residents have repeatedly raised alarms about rising insecurity.

As of press time, security authorities had not issued an official statement on the attack or confirmed whether rescue efforts were underway.

Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters reported the abduction of two brothers by bandits while working on their cassava farm in the Edu Local Government Area of the state.

The attack occurred on Wednesday at Bokungi Zambufu community under the Lafiagi Emirate. According to NupekoTV, eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the farmland and opened fire “sporadically,” forcing villagers to flee.

The two brothers were unable to escape and were taken away by the gunmen.

One of the victims was identified as Mohammed Mohammed, a prominent community figure and former President of the National Association of Nupe Students (NANUS).

The report noted that the incident has heightened fears among farmers in Kwara North, many of whom already face severe threats from recurring kidnappings.

Residents have accused authorities of failing to address the rising wave of attacks, warning that agricultural activities in the area are under grave threat.