Gunmen kill one, torch houses in Kwara community

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Mahmuda group on Sunday attacked Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing one person and setting several houses ablaze.

The attackers reportedly stormed the town around 6 a.m. and operated until 11 a.m., taking advantage of the absence of local vigilante members who had traveled for a training workshop or to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir outside the community.

Residents said the gunmen had a free rein until a combined team of soldiers and vigilante operatives from nearby communities arrived and drove them away.

While the police claimed ignorance of the attack, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident. The Emir of Yashikira Emirate, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, also verified the attack in a phone interview, saying the assailants killed one person and razed multiple homes.

“They struck around 6 a.m., killed one person, and burned many houses,” the Emir said. “The vigilante were away for Sallah and training. We had to mobilize help from surrounding communities to repel the attackers by 11 a.m.”

The monarch expressed frustration over the distance of the nearest army base in Chikanda and called on the Federal Government to establish a military presence closer to Karongi to safeguard lives and property.

The spokesperson for the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Sobi, Ilorin, Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, confirmed the attack on Monday, stating that one vigilante member was killed during the operation.

“The soldiers were alerted and responded swiftly, but the gunmen fled upon sighting them,” Nwankwo said. “The deceased was a vigilante who had accompanied the troops to the scene.”