Gunmen kill, abduct Kwara village head as Army denies being overpowered by bandits
By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho –
The Nigerian Army has refuted an online report that bandits overwhelmed it’s forces in Obanla, Kwara State, and seized heavy weapons, including six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
In a statement released on Sunday, October 5, 2025, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, described the report as “false, misleading, and mischievous” and a deliberate attempt to cause panic and weaken public trust in the military.
The Army clarified that troops of the 148 Battalion (Rear), on clearance operations in Kogi and Kwara States, continue to record major successes against criminal groups, stressing that no military position had been overrun and no weapons or ammunition were lost.
Lt Col Okoye revealed that troops on the Kwara–Ekiti border neutralised two armed bandits and recovered two brand-new AK-47 rifles, a development he said highlighted the army’s firm control and operational effectiveness in the region.
However, on Sunday evening, armed bandits stormed the Rani Ramat community in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing a resident and abducting the traditional ruler. The attack occurred around 6:20 p.m. during Maghrib prayers.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, who arrived on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately as worshippers were observing prayers at the mosque. A resident identified as Alhaji Liman was shot dead, while the community head, Alhaji Ndako Zhitsu (also referred to locally as Nda Zhitsu), was abducted.
The Chairman of Patigi Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, described the attack as “barbaric and unfortunate.”
“We are working round the clock with the police and other security formations to ensure the safe return of our leader,” he assured.
Last week, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq held security consultations with community leaders, vowing to strengthen intelligence networks and fast-track the establishment of a local security outfit, including forest guards, to stem rural banditry.
