BREAKING: Bandits Kidnap One in Midnight Raid in Patigi LGA, Kwara State, Four Others From Same Community Remain in Captivity

Bandits have kidnapped a man identified as Umar during a midnight raid on Lata NNA community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, while four other residents of the community abducted in previous attacks remain in captivity.

Speaking with NupekoTV, a source who escaped from the scene of the attack said the bandits invaded the community between about 11:40pm and 12:10am, taking advantage of the heavy rainfall to carry out the operation quietly.

According to the source, he raised the alarm and informed military personnel who were on their regular patrol in the community. However, by the time the soldiers arrived at the scene, the bandits had already fled with Umar.

The source said the attackers may not have known that soldiers were present in the town, explaining that the rainfall appeared to have helped them move without attracting attention.

"They wished to carry out the attack silently. They wanted to go with two people, but the other old man did not cooperate. They did not want to shoot, so they allowed him to stay," the source said.

The latest victim, Umar, is a Hausa man. He was taken during the fresh attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

Meanwhile, four other people from Lata NNA community are still being held by bandits following previous attacks.

Among those in captivity are two Nupe men, Mohammed Abubakar Ndakpada, a SUBEB teacher who is also a farmer, and Abdullahi Nma, a farmer from Lade who is based in Lata. The other two victims are Hausa men.

The continued captivity of the four residents, coupled with the latest abduction, has heightened concerns over the vulnerability of residents in Lata NNA and surrounding communities.

Speaking with NupekoTV, a youth leader, Tauheed Ahmed Desco, called on the government to fast-track the deployment of more military personnel to the area.

Desco said residents remain vulnerable and at risk of continuous attacks if urgent security measures are not taken.

He urged the government to strengthen the security presence in the community to prevent further abductions and protect residents from bandit attacks.