About seven suspected bandits have reportedly killed one pregnant woman and a police officer during a fresh attack on some communities in both Agbonran village in Ifelodun local government and Patigi local government council area of Kwara state.

Already, no fewer than 500 people have fled the affected communities for fear of being killed by the suspected bandits that have been operating in the two local government councils for past few months.

The incident according to THISDAY checks happened on Tuesday night that also led to the kidnapping of eight persons in the attack.

Commissioner of police, Adekimi Ojo in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday, confirmed the death of the police officer, Salisu Shamaki at Agbonran, in Ifelodun local government of the state

But, the efforts to confirm the killing of the pregnant woman,and kidnappings of eight persons in Patigi local government were unsuccessful at press time.

Sources said that, truck load of bandits in a motorcycle attacked Matokun village in Patigi LGA in early hours of Tuesday,in an operation that lasted for about four hours.

It was also gathered that fear of potential attack before the bandits unleashed terror on the community on Tuesday had left the community almost deserted.

Prior to the attack on Tuesday, THISDAY checks revealed that the community had reported the possible attack of the bandits to Army unit in the area, but was not heeded.

Sources close to the communities who sought anonymity stated, “No military officer,could confront the bandits during the almost four hours raid of the community, despite the fact that the soldiers

had been briefed of the possible attack.

“The community was left to their faith as no single military man responded to the outcry for help from the villagers only to be told later that they were waiting for reinforcement from Lafiagi”

The source claimed that,”One pregnant woman was shot dead and five others sustained various degrees of injury.

Sources added, “Currently, one of the victims was referred to Teaching Hospital Ilorin for proper treatment as the injury sustained by the victim is beyond what could be managed in General Hospital Patigi

“Twelve (12) people were initially kidnapped. Four escaped along the way and eight others (8) are still in captivity. No specific demand has been made by now.

“Urgent decisive government action is required to safe Patigi and Edu LGA communities from further attacks”

Similarly unknown gunmen same-day killed the police orderly, Corporal Salisu Shamaki while three other policemen were missing at Agbonran village in Ifelodun local government area of kwara State.

Shamaki, was attached to a Chinese miner in the area where the attack occurred.

A credible source told newsmen yesterday that the Chinese miners escaped unhurt while the whereabouts of the three policemen still remains unknown.

Armed bandits, had in the recent times invaded Ifelodun after innocent members of the public including policemen, looting among other criminal activities in the area.

The State Governor, Mallan Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq had mobilised the state security apparatus to the area.

Also, the Nigeria Army Sobi barracks, Ilorin had in the recent time approved a forward operational base to the area to stem activities of the bandits the area and restore normalcy .

Other stakeholders including political office holders and community and cultural organizations had intensified security measures with the local vigilante and the security agencies to restore peace to the area.

The sources further said that the Corpse of Shamaki was billed to be taken to Niger state early Wednesday morning, but it added that the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adekimi Ojo had not signed its signal to release the Corpse for burial in his home State.

The deceased, Shamanki, a 30 years, police enlisted into the force in 2017/2018 session hailed from Mariga local government area of Niger state with a pregnant wife.

Hammed Shittu

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